Palaeontologists from more than 18 countries in Asia participated in the first business meeting of the Asian Palaeontological Association (APA), and decided that the association's headquarters to be located permanently in Nanjing, China. Prof. ZHAN Renbin from NIGPAS was elected as its first President. The establishment of APA is quite important for giving full play to regional international academic influence, and will also help countries along the "Belt and Road" route to carry out international cooperation in scientific and technological innovation.