In January 2012, the Chinese Society for Environmental Sciences (CSES) convened the Seventh National Congress
and held elections. The Congress elected a new Council comprising 54 standing directors. The former Vice Minister of
Ministry of Environmental Protection(MEP), Mr. Wang Yuqing, was elected chairperson. Professor Wang Canfa,
a standing director of the Council, was elected vice-chair.

Founded in 1978, CSES is a prestigious academic society in the field of environmental science and is China's largest
environmental scientific and technological forum. CSES's membership comprises more than 42,000 environmental
researchers: scientists, technicians, educators, and administrators working in the field of environmental science.
Previously, CSES Council chairpersons and vice-chairs were primarily government officials of the relevant
administrations, scholars, and natural science experts. Professor Wang Canfa's election marks the first time
for a legal scholar to be elected vice-chair.