Abstract:The past 50 years have witnessed rapid development and tremendous success in exploration geochemistry. From its recent development and the innovation of ideas and technology presented during the 16th International Geochemical Exploration Symposium (IGES) in Beijing, China, and the 17th IGES in Townsville, Australia, geochemical exploration is passing from the empirical stage to the stage of technical innovation and intensifying theoretical study. The main signs are as follows; with the progress of the International Geochemical Mapping Project and recognition of broad geochemical patterns, geochemical exploration will gradually become a strategic method that can master the disposition and decision making in mineral exploration activity; with the development of various new techniques a breakthrough is being made in search for concealed mineral deposits, especially giant mineral deposits; high-quality geochemical maps will allow scientists to study the environment from a global perspective. China pioneers in all the above efforts , while Australian in-depth theoretical study of geochemical exploration in the tropics will be an excellent example to the international geochemical community.