Oil and gas development has advanced further into the 10,000-meter deep subsurface.

Immediately after the Ministry of the Petroleum Industry was established, its first ministerial meeting resolved to dispatch two fact-finding missions to the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe to study both natural and synthetic petroleum. The directive was that these missions should “bring back viable approaches for developing China’s petroleum industry.” Led by Assistant Minister Kang Shien, the natural‑oil mission conducted an extensive review of all aspects of the Soviet petroleum sector from September 1955 through February of the following year. They also visited the Baku oil region and the Romashkino oilfield, conducting on-site investigations into the distinctive characteristics and operational practices of both mature and newly developed fields. The delegation’s earnest attitude and their relentless, inquisitive spirit deeply impressed their Soviet counterparts. In January 1956, the Ministry of Petroleum convened the First National Petroleum Exploration Conference. While still in the Soviet Union, Kang Shien penned a lengthy letter titled “How to Search for Oil in China,” in which, by comparing China’s experience with advanced Soviet practices, he identified the underlying reasons for the limited success of previous exploration efforts. He recommended “formulating a comprehensive plan for all oil‑bearing regions nationwide, addressing fundamental issues at the outset, and carrying out exploration in a systematic, step‑by‑step manner.”

A special symposium on Chinese petroleum exploration was held. The venue was packed, and the audience actively engaged with a lively Q&A session, underscoring widespread interest in this emerging oil powerhouse. Following the event, U.S. journalists conducted an exclusive interview with us. When asked, “Who is more accomplished—Chinese or American petroleum geologists?” the AAPG Annual Meeting’s vice‑chair who accompanied us promptly replied: “When it comes to exploring marine‑facies strata, Americans have the edge; for continental‑facies strata, Chinese experts are superior. And when studying small‑scale, local‑area geology, Americans excel; for regional‑scale geology, Chinese researchers hold the advantage.” This response, acknowledging both strengths and limitations, was remarkably balanced and insightful. Later, the vice‑chair confided that China’s regionally focused, holistic approach to geological research has been highly successful, and he has repeatedly recommended it to his American counterparts.