The 2023 National Annual Conference on Engineering Geology opened in Nanjing on April 22, 2023. It was held by the Geological Society of China, organized by Engineering Geology Commission of the Geological Society of China and NJU, and co-organized by the National Natural Science Foundation of China and other 38 organizations, institutions and companies.

Around the theme of “Opportunities and Challenges for Engineering Geology under the Target of ‘Double Carbon’”, the conference discussed 12 topics including geotechnical structures and engineering geology characteristics, carbon storage and utilization, ecological engineering and the protection of geological environment. 

Proceeding online and offline simultaneously, the conference was attended by more than 2,300 representatives from universities, research institutes and companies all over the country, with more than 240,000 people tuning in through live streaming. CAS Academicians Chen Yong, Chen Zuyu, Liu Congqiang, Chen Jun, Peng Jianbing, together with Zou Yajun, Standing member of the CPC NJU Committee and Vice President of NJU, Liu Yu, Director of the National Natural Science Foundation of China Earth Science Third Division, Zhu Lixin, Vice Chairman of the Geological Society of China (online), and Tang Huiming, Chairman of the Engineering Geology Commission of the Geological Society of China, attended the conference. The opening ceremony was presided over by Professor Shi Bin from the School of Earth Sciences and Engineering, NJU, Chairman of the organizing committee.

Zou Yajun commenced the event by delivering a welcome speech on behalf of NJU. Liu Yu, discussed the development and future direction of geological engineering. Tang Huiming presented the concept of geological engineering, emphasizing its contemporary mission and calling for advancements in the field. Zhu Lixin congratulated the conference and outlined the history and progress of the Engineering Geology Commission. He also proposed the idea of promoting discipline construction in alignment with the country’s needs. Professor Tang Chaosheng, Secretary-general of the conference, provided an overview of the conference’s arrangement and schedule. 

The conference comprised a main panel, 14 sub panels, and 6 special panels for the graduate students. A total of 463 presentations were delivered, including 17 invited lectures for the main panel, 84 invited lectures for the sub panels, 182 branch-venue lectures, and 180 graduate student presentations. Additionally, an academic poster session was held, featuring a total of 32 submissions.

During the two-day conference, representatives had extensive and in-depth discussions on the theme and topics of the conference. Academician Liu Congqiang systematically explained the basic concept, features and research paradigm of anthropocene, advancing its prioritizing research field and interdisciplinary integration. Academician Peng Jianbing explicated the definition of ecological geology and made a comprehensive illustration of the dynamic evolution of the Qinling Mountains’ ecological system, as well as the framework, concept and mission of the basic research on green development mechanism. Academician Chen Zuyu elaborated on the application of big data and machine learning in TBM construction geology and intelligent tunneling. Representatives offered suggestions in regard to the realization of the ecological conservation, resource development, disaster prevention and control in our country.

On the afternoon of April 23, Professor Tang Chaosheng presided over the closing of the conference, which comprised of the presenting of Excellent Poster Award, Outstanding Graduate Student Report Award and the 6th Dezhen Gu Prize for Young Scholars, as well as the summary of the conference and the closing speech by Academician Peng Jianbing. 

There were 10 winners for the Excellent Poster Award and 36 winners for the Outstanding Graduate Report Award. Academicians Chen Yong and Peng Jianbing conferred the 6th Dezhen Gu Prize for Young Scholars on 10 winners. 

Qi Shengwen, Secretary General of Engineering Geology Commission of Geological Society of China summed up the conference and put forward future research directions. Academician Peng Jianbing thanked the organizing committee and volunteers for their time and efforts contributing to the successful organizing of the conference, and expressed high expectations for young talents in geological engineering. 

The 8th Chairman Meeting of the Eleventh Engineering Geology Commission, the joint conference of the Engineering Geology Commission and IAEG members, as well as the Engineering Geology Development Strategic Report Seminar were also held during the conference.

This is the first time that NJU has organized the National Annual Conference on Engineering Geology since this yearly event was unfolded in 1979. The conference is a success, with a record number of participants and academic reports. It has achieved fruitful results, demonstrating the strong vitality and promising prospect of geological engineering in China.

Translator: Zhao Haiwen

Editors: Chen Xing, Guo Ankang, He Yao