From Sept. 16 to 20, the 8th China Physics Society Plenary Meeting and 2003 Fall Academic Meeting sponsored by the China Physics Society and the State Key Laboratory of Structure Analysis of USTC was held in Hefei.

At the inauguration of the 8th Plenary Meeting, the director of National Natural Science Foundation, ex-president of Peking University, and chairperson of the China Physics Society council academician Chen Jiaer made a working report to the 7th council of the China Physics Society. USTC president, academician Zhu Qingshi also delivered a speech at the meeting. After thorough discussion by the 150 representatives, the 8th council of the China Physics Society consisting of 94 directors was created. The Dean of USTC's Science School, academician Yang Guozhen, was elected chairperson of the new council. Additionally, the meeting commended 40 excellent members of the society and gave 5 physics awards to 5 winners.

The 2003 Fall Academic Meeting of the China Physics Society began after the 8th Plenary Meeting ended. The Fall Academic Meeting this year received 400 papers covering nearly all fields of physics and had 500 representatives participating in the meeting. Prof. Liu Zuping, Prof. Li Ding, Prof. Huo Jianqing from our university and alumni academicians Zhao Zhongxian, Prof. Pan Jianwei, Prof. Zhuang Xiaowei attended the meeting and delivered speeches. The representatives had a wide academic exchange on 14 subjects including particle physics, field theory and cosmography, nuclear physics and accelerator physics, atomic, molecular and light physics, plasma physics, nano-structure and surface physics of function material, strong correlation and superconductivity physics. They also discussed the latest cutting-edge developments in physics.