The Chinese Society for Plant Pathology (CSPP) is an academic organization devoted to the research and expansion of the field of plant pathology in China. It has a long history. The society was established by some Chinese pathologists in 1929 to promote the development of pathology in China. Over the past 25 years, the organization has grown into a national first-rate society, with 14 professional committees and five working committees, 26 local branches and more than 6,500 members in China and abroad. The CSPP became a member of the International Society for Plant Pathology in 1983, and is the founding member of the Asian Association of Societies for Plant Pathology. Its headquarters are located at the campus of China Agricultural University.

To increase academic communion and enhance the level of national research, the national annual meeting and other national symposia are regularly sponsored by CSPP or its professional committees. The CSPP annual meeting, the Society’s most important event, is held in a different city every year. About 300-500 participants including overseas members attend these meetings, present their research results, learn about the latest advances in related research areas, and meet with colleagues to exchange ideas and information. Meeting proceedings are also compiled and issued to extend communion between scholars and strengthen the influence of CSPP.

ACTA PHYTOPATHOLOGICA SINICA was initiated in 1955 and is sponsored by CSPP. The Journal publishes articles bimonthly in both Chinese and English that cover fundamental and applied aspects of plant pathology. As an indicator of the academic level of CSPP, Acta Phytopathologica Sinica has been among the most highly rated academic journals in China and is gaining strong recognition throughout Asia and abroad. It strongly facilitates national and international communication.

CSPP has carried out a great deal of applied research related to the prevention and cure of plant diseases. Maintaining a close tie with producers, CSPP is active in introducing and distributing new production-oriented techniques. National and international training in the application of these new techniques and services through agricultural extension is also an important part of CSPP's program. All these measures have popularized knowledge of plant pathology, tightened the connection between theory and practice and, contributed to accelerating the development of agriculture in China..

The development of the science of plant pathology is the main concern of CSPP. In addition, CSPP's organizational competence at an international level is evident from its successful hosting of the First Asian Plant Pathology Conference in Beijing in 2000, and its co-organization of the 15th International Plant Protection Congress in 2004. Eager to contribute to the development of the Chinese plant pathology in the 21 st century, CSPP by now has totally prepared itself for the ICPP in 2013. We are confident that holding the Congres in Beijing will be an event of fruitful scientific exchange among pathologists throughout the world.