On June 20, 2020, the Chinese Forest Ecosystem Field Observation and Research Station Alliance held a seminar to promote the progress of its project 'Analysis of Forest Ecosystem Quality, Management Status, and Management regimes in Northeast China'. The seminar was held in the form of a video conference and the main venue was in Shenyang.

ZHU Jiaojun, head of the Qingyuan Forest Ecosystem Observation and Research Station of Chinese Academy of Sciences (hereinafter referred to as Qingyuan Station), WANG Anzhi, head of the Changbai Mountain (Jilin) Forest Ecosystem National Field Observation and Research Station (hereinafter referred to as Changbaishan Station), Wang Chuankuan, head of the Heilongjiang Maoershan Forest Ecosystem National Field Observation and Research Station (hereinafter referred to as Maoershan Station), ZHANG Qiuliang, head of the Daxinganling Forest Ecosystem (Inner Mongolia) National Field Observation and Research Station (hereinafter referred to as Daxinganling Station), and key personnel of each field station, a total of more than 20 people, attended the seminar. The seminar was chaired by ZHU Jiaojun.

First, YU Lizhong, deputy head of Qingyuan Station, briefly introduced the current project of the Chinese Forest Ecosystem Field Observation and Research Station Alliance, as well as the research content undertaken by the Field Stations in Northeast China. After that, personnel from different field stations had in-depth discussions on 'Assessment Report on Typical/Regional Forest Ecosystem Quality and Management Status in China' and clarified their own tasks.

The participants discussed in detail on the natural environment and the distribution of forest ecosystems in northeast China, the quality of forest ecosystems and related controlling factors, forest management status and challenges, the management regimes and optimal management of forest ecosystems. Participants at the seminar also put forward some suggestions on the quality and management of forest ecosystems in Northeast China.

After that, ZHU Jiaojun proposed to set up the "Northeast Forest Ecosystem Field Observation and Research Station Alliance" (the Northeast Forest Alliance) with Changbai Mountain Station, Maoershan Station, Daxinganling Station and Qingyuan Station as its core member stations. He briefly introduced the necessity and feasibility to establish the Northeast Forest Alliance. He also pointed out future research and development direction of the Alliance.

The heads of other stations unanimously agreed to establish the Northeast Forest Alliance. They proposed that a networked research should be carried out in accordance with national needs and the status of forests in Northeast China, aiming at breaking through the major and key scientific issues facing forest ecosystems and providing theoretical and technical support for the protection and restoration of forest resources in Northeast China. In addition, the participants decided to promote the establishment of the Northeast Forest Alliance as soon as possible, for example, via building a networked database and advancing effective data sharing.