On January 8, 2022, the leading group meeting of the "Black Soil Conservation and Utilization Technology Innovation Program" of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), a Class A Strategic Priority Research Program of CAS, was held in Beijing. 

The leading group members participating in the meeting included CAS President, academician Hou Jianguo, Vice President of CAS, academician Zhang Tao, and Heads of the general office and different bureaus of CAS. In addition, academicians Zhang Jiabao and Sun Ninghui were specially invited to attend the meeting as consultants of the project.  

Zhu Jiaojun, director of the Institute of Applied Ecology (IAE) of CAS, Zhuo Junchen, deputy director of IAE, Wang Xugao, Head of the Science and Technology Division of IAE, Prof. Zhang Lili and other researchers working at the Shenyang Black Soil Research Demonstration Area attended the meeting. 

The meeting was presided over by Vice President Zhang Tao. The chief scientists of the general program and persons in charge of sub-projects and different demonstration areas gave annual reports to the leading group at the meeting. Prof. Zhang Lili made a work progress report on behalf of Shenyang demonstration area. 

The leading group members and the program consultants fully affirmed the work progress at different demonstration areas, and they had high expectations for future achievements of the innovation program. 

The meeting strengthened the communication and partnership between different research units, and the work priorities had been made clear for researchers from different demonstration areas. 

Researchers working at Shenyang Demonstration Area refined the implementation plan and clarified key research goals after suggestions by leaders and experts, which will lay a solid foundation for innovation research at this demonstration area.