To build a global virtual community for Chinese-speaking scientists. As a new member of Science Times Media Group (STMG), the oldest professional media of P. R. China, ScienceNet.cn was launched in January, 2007. It reaches more than 3 million people per month and is the most well-known science media in Chinese research institutes, universities as well as many Chinese science communities scattered around the world. Besides timely and reliable science news, abundant and valuable classified information, ScienceNet.cn also hosts the most active and high-profile virtual community of Chinese-speaking scientists. ScienceNet.cn is co-sponsored by Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE) and National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC).