Established in January 1959, China Science Daily’ predecessor KEXUE BAO was originally created as the official news bulletin of CAS. As the first science and technology newspaper and one of the first professional newspapers of China, it helped to shape the model of science reporting in China. It quickly established its reputation as the most authoritative source of Chinese science news.
Its publication was interrupted in August 1966 when Cultural Revolution broke out. On Nov. 2nd, 1979, it resumed its publication. As science and technology have been promoted as the essential factor in the revival of China , the Chinese government invests heavily in the section. And KEXUE BAO took advantage of the huge development of Chinese science and grew at a fast pace.
In 1980, its staff was consisted of 14 full-time editors and reporters.
In May 1984, it set up a national network of 5 bureaus and employed 40 staff.
1985 was the first year when KEXEU BAO was distributed nation-wide and its subscription reached 50,000.
By 1986, KEXEU BAO’ national network was consisted of 18 bureaus.
In 1987, a survey carried out by Xinhua News Agency on the Conference of the Third World Academy of Sciences showed that 80% of the Chinese scientists regarded KEXEU BAO as the most reliable and authoritative source of science news in Chinese media.
In January 1989, KEXEU BAO changed its name to Chinese Science News.
In July 1993, Chinese Science News launched its international edition in more than 30 countries and regions. In the United States alone, more than 700 university libraries provided its readers with Chinese Science News. Unfortunately, its publication didn’t last long.
In May 1995, Chinese Science News began to cooperate with Science magazine of American Association for the Advancement of Science.
Between June and September 1996, more than 60 university presidents in China jointly recommended Chinese Science News to college students. Their recommendation letter read: “There is a highly influential science and education newspaper in China--- Chinese Science News. Unfortunately, it is not very well known among our teachers and students. Actually, it is truly one of our favorite newspapers.”
In July 2001, the official website of CAS www.cas.cn was assigned to CSDMG by the Bureau of General Affair of CAS.
In autumn 1996, Science magazine published an article that highly praised the Chinese Science News’s exposure of pseudo-science.
In April 1998, CSDMG launched a new magazine Science Life Weekly, which has become the leading information source of local services in Beijing .
In early 1998, Chinese Science News started to cooperate with Nature Publishing Group.
On January 1st 1999, Chinese Science News changed its named to Science Times and was consisted of 8 pages.
On January 15th 1999, Science News Biweekly magazine was launched.
On June 17th 1999, CSDMG moved from the headquarter building of CAS to its current office building.
On January 2nd, 2000, Chinese Science Weekly was laughed in the United States , a joint-venture by CSDMG and China Press, the leading Chinese American Publication in the United States It had 12 pages and printed with full colors and complicated Chinese. Its publication ended in January 2004.
In October 2006, sponsorship of CSDMG was shifted from CAS alone to CAS, CAE and NSFC jointly.
In December 2006, ScienceNet.cn, a new strategic venture emphasizing online science news was launched as a portal website for Chinese science community.
In January 2009, Science News Biweekly was re-launched as a news magazine devoted to professional scientists. It has become one of the most unique and high-impact media in the Chinese science community.
On January 1, 2012, Science Times was renamed China Science Daily.
On October 17, 2013, CAST became one of sponsors of China Science Daily.
On January 1, 2015, Medical Science News was founded in Beijing. It was co-created by CSDMG and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences.
On March 13, 2014, ScienceNet.cn opened its official wechat account. Since then, CSDMG has begun to march into new media, including wechat, toutiao, douyin and other new media platforms.
Nowadays, CSDMG has developed into a media group consisted of two newspapers, one magazine, one website and a comprehensive new media matrix. They are China Science Daily, Medical Science News, Science News Biweekly, ScienceNet.cn as well as new media accounts.