Palaeogeographic analysis plays such a fundamental role in geological sciences, involving detailed studies on sedimentary basins and petroleum exploration, recontructing past continents, oceans and climates, as well as the biological evolution of extinct species. With so much research now focusing on reconstructing the geographical features of the geological past, particularly in the vast area of China, the launch of the Journal of Palaeogeography is a most welcome development. It will provide a much needed platform for dissemination of important information related to Chinese palaeogeography to a global audience. This, in turn, should help stimulate collaboration between Chinese scientists and scientists from the rest of the world, leading to the publishing of their research on international palaeogeographical themes in this new niche journal. The Journal’s aim as a quarterly journal is to publish high quality academic papers with high quality illustrations. This will undoubtedly help in establishing it as a high ranking journal in the future.