The International Chemistry Olympiad (IChO) is the world's largest and most influential youth chemistry competition. The 54th International Chemistry Olympiad ("IChO 2022"), co-hosted by China Association for Science and Technology (CAST) and the Tianjin Municipal People's Government, and co-organized by Nankai University, the Chinese Chemical Society, the Children and Youth Science Center of CAST, and Tianjin Science and Technology Association, will open in Tianjin on July 10. On June 10, the Organizing Committee held a press conference at Tianjin Science and Technology Museum to introduce the preparatory progress, release the emblem, slogan, mascot, schedule and highlights of the event, and answer reporters' questions. 

Yao Jiannian, President of the Chinese Chemical Society and Executive Chairman of IChO 2022, Chen Jun, Vice President of Nankai University and Executive Chairman of IChO2022, Xin Bing, Director of the Youth Science and Technology Center of the Chinese Association for Science and Technology and Deputy Director of IChO 2022 Organizing Committee, and Lu Weimin, Vice Chairman of Tianjin Science and Technology Association and Deputy Director of IChO 2022 Organizing Committee, attended the press conference.

Yao Jiannian said that as a basic subject with strong practicability, chemistry has made an incomparable contribution to the progress and development of human society. This year is the International Year of Basic Science for Sustainable Development set by the United Nations, which gives IChO 2022 a unique meaning. We look forward to the gathering of teenagers who love chemistry from all over the world, to jointly feel China's enthusiasm and appreciate the charm of chemistry.

Xin Bing said that the IChO is the world's largest and most influential chemistry competition for middle school students. It serves as a platform for communication and mutual learning for young people as well as scientific and technological workers from all over the world. 

Lu Weimin said that Tianjin is one of the source cities of China's modern chemical industry. It has unique basic conditions in petroleum, chemical industry, medicine and other industries. The development of industrial clusters has promoted the emergence of "Bohai Economic Rim", the largest rim in China for petrochemical and biomedical industry, which is an ideal region for chemistry elites to fulfil their ambitions.

On behalf of the Organizing Committee of the IChO2022, Chen Jun introduced the overview of the competition and the preparatory progress. He expressed his sincere expectation that the contestants from all over the world will spark new ideas, give full play to their scientific potential and develop profound friendship at IChO 2022. 

The emblem, slogan and mascot of this competition were released at the press conference. With the theme of promoting science and technology for social good, encouraging innovation and creation, promoting openness and integration, and conveying the voice of China, the body of the emblem is the seal of alchemy furnace, the slogan is "Change, Creation and Fusion", and the mascot is a snub-nosed monkey chemical experimenter named Kem. 

As the COVID-19 pandemic rages globally, IChO 2022 will be held online from July 10 to 18. The theory examination of this competition is slated to take place from 14:00 to 24:00 on July 13, Beijing time. Participating teams will arrange a 5-hour examination according to local time zone within the above period. For the sake of fairness and impartiality, the examination will be invigilated online and offline simultaneously. During the event, the Organizing Committee will hold over 10 cultural and technological highlight activities. 

It is reported that Nankai University won the right to host the IChO 2022 during the 51^st IChO held in Paris, France in 2019. This is the second time that this event for young chemistry enthusiasts is held in Chinese mainland after it was held in Beijing in 1995.