Abstract: In China, ocean drilling started twenty years ago with the ODP (Ocean Drilling Program) Leg 184 to the South China Sea.Over the twenty years, China has significantly enhanced its contributions to the IODP (International Ocean discovery Program), and 3 ½ IODP expeditions were implemented in the recent 5 years to explore the rifting and drifting processes of the South China Sea. Active participation in the international ocean drilling cooperation has led to profound changes in the marine geology science in China. It has not only geographically extended the research area from costal sea to deep ocean, but promoted the growth of a deep-sea scientific community in the country. Remarkable research progress has been made, for example, in the tectonics of marginal basin and the climate forcing by low-latitude processes. Now China has adopted a three step development strategy to further upgrade its role in the international cooperation. As for the 2^nd step, Chins is ready to enter the core group of IODP by providing drilling facilities to implement the IODP expeditions. Meanwhile, China intends to host the next international conference in 2020 to prepare the new ocean drilling science plan beyond 2023. All these new targets present an unprecedented challenge to the Chinese deep-sea community, and the success will depend on its scientific preparation.