The 7th LASG/IAP & College of Atmospheric Sciences/ Nanjing University Joint Workshop on Climate System Model Development and Numerical Modeling was held from 15-17 April, 2009 in Liyang, Jiangsu. More than 70 scientists and students from IAP, Nanjing University, the First Institute of Oceanography of State Oceanic Administration, PLA University of Science and Technology, Nanjing University of Information, Science and Technology attended the workshop. Dr. Xiouhua Fu of University of Hawaii, Dr. Zhaomin Wang of British Antarctic Survey, Dr. Zhenya Song the First Institute of Oceanography of State Oceanic Administration, Dr. Riyu Lu of IAP were invited to give the plenary talks. Dr. Bin Wang, the director of LASG/IAP and Prof. Xiuqun Yang, the dean of the College of Atmospheric Sciences/ Nanjing University were also present to show the support to the workshop. The themes of the workshop include regional climate system model, global climate system model, and climate variability.

A noted difference of the workshop from the previous ones is that the number of oral reports was significantly reduced and posters are greatly encouraged to allow for sufficient time for discussion and communication. That all the symposia are chaired by senior postgraduate students is another highlight. As the researchers of the future generation, students' initiatives were encouraged and their good organizing ability and inductive reasoning were demonstrated. Senior scientists, Prof. Yongfu Qian, Dr. Xuehong Zhang, Dr. Xiaoping Zhou, and Dr. Shufen Sun made inceptive comments on model development, assessment and application.