将于2003年秋开始实施的IODP是一个比ODP更加庞大的国际地球科学合作计划。面对国际深海研究的新挑战，我国应抓紧时机，及早准备，扩大队伍、积聚力量，充分发挥我国自然条件和原有研究积累的优势，将深入国际深海前沿领域与国内的研究结合起来，力争实现中国海深海钻探的新航次，促进我国地球科学进入海陆结合的地球系统研究和全面走向国际的新局面。同时，通过国际合作与国内有关深海工作计划的结合，为维护我国海上权益、探索底资源和为环境、减灾以及发展海洋高新技术做出贡献。我国参加IODP要遵循"有所为，有所不为"的原则，在加入ODP以后取得进展的基础上，优先选择比较成熟和最为迫切的领域，以点带面进行重点突破，逐步扩大，继续加强古海洋学研究，并同时向洋中脊、深部生物圈等新领域发展。具体包括以下优先研究领域：深部生物圈及海底下的海洋，古环境研究，西太平洋大陆边缘岩石圈演化与震源带。希望有关部委积极支持我国有关大洋钻探的基础研究力量和深海资源、技术等项目之间的密切合作，在国内大联合的基础上参加国际计划，制定长远的国家计划，在国家层面上部署深海研究，组成"国家队"参与国际竞争。

Compared with ODP, IODP will have more drilling platforms and broader scientific areas that are of significant interests to our society. The new project, which will start later in 2003, will give Chinese Earth science community a unique opportunity in strengthening the existing links with the international community, training of young Chinese Earth scientists as well as the integration of national research projects with IODP and other related international deep sea research programs. Considering the  IODP science initiatives and the existing expertise of the Chinese Earth science community,  it is proposed that the research priorities for the Chinese involvement in IODP will include following areas: (1) Deep biosphere and sub-seafloor ocean; (2) Paleoenvironment research; and (3) Lithosphere dynamics and seismogenic zones in the west Pacific margin. It is also hoped that there will be a much improved coordination among Chinese government agencies for different deep sea research national programs and as a result of this, more active involvement of Chinese Earth scientists in IODP and other international programs.