40年前于1979年，在苏州召开的中国古生物学会第三届全国会员代表大会暨第12次学术年会盛况空前，在中国古生物学发展史上具有非常重要的意义。它标志着中国古生物学研究步入发展的新阶段，优秀成果大量涌现、学术交流频繁；此后的数年里学会活动空前活跃、会员人数大幅增加，从此学会活动正规化；中国古生物学界重新回到国际大家庭，对外交流频繁。

40 years ago, the 3rd National Congress and the 12th Annual Conference of the Palaeontological Society of China was held in Suzhou of Jiangsu Province. The Congress has historical significance in the Chinese palaeontological development. Since 1979 the Chinese palaeontological research entered a new developmental stage, with excellent achievements springing up in large numbers, and frequent academic exchanges occurring. In the following years, the activities of the Society were more active than ever before, significant increase in membership, the activities of society had regularized. The Chinese paleontologists have returned to the international community with frequent exchanges.