The Chinese National Compound Library (CNCL), located at the Pharma Valley of China – Shanghai Zhangjiang High-tech Park, is a major research and development establishment managed by the National Center for Drug Screening, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences and Shanghai Zhangjiang Biopharmaceutical Base Development, Co., Ltd. Its storage capacity will approach to two million compounds possessing diversified structures by the year 2015. Coupled with this library will be advanced sample handling, information management and quality control systems. As an important material and information resource, CNCL will work with both domestic and international stakeholders to promote sustained development of Chinese pharmaceutical industry.