The Virtual Observatory (VO) aims to provide a research environment that will open up new possibilities for scientific research based on data discovery, efficient data access, and interoperability. The vision is of global astronomy archives connected via the VO to form a multiwavelength digital sky that can be searched, visualized, and analyzed in new and innovative ways. VO projects worldwide working toward this vision are already providing science capabilities with new tools and services.
The International Virtual Observatory Alliance (IVOA) was formed in June 2002 with a mission to facilitate the international coordination and collaboration necessary for the development and deployment of the tools, systems and organizational structures necessary to enable the international utilization of astronomical archives as an integrated and interoperating virtual observatory. The IVOA now comprises 20 VO programs from Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Europe, France, Germany, Hungary, India, Italy, Japan, Russia, South Africa, Spain, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, and the United States and an inter-governmental organization (ESA).
The semi-annual IVOA Interop Meetings provide a venue for discussion and development of virtual observatory standards and VO-based applications. These meetings are open to those with an interest in utilizing the VO infrastructure and tools in support of observatory operations and/or astronomical research.
The IVOA Northern Spring 2017 Interoperability Meeting will be held in Shanghai, the largest city in China from May 14-19, 2019. The meeting is being organized by the Chinese Virtual Observatory and Shanghai Astronomical Observatory with funding supports from Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) and Inspur Corporation.
Chinese Virtual Observatory (China-VO) is the national VO project in China initiated in 2002 by Chinese astronomical community leading by National Astronomical Observatories, Chinese Academy of Sciences. China-VO became a member of the International Virtual Observatory Alliance (IVOA) in 2002. In May 2007, the China-VO hosted the 2007 Spring IVOA Interop Meeting in Beijing. 
Shanghai Astronomical Observatory (SHAO), an institute of Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), was officially established in 1962 following the amalgamation of the former Xujiahui Observatory and Sheshan Observatory, which were founded by French Jesuits in 1872 and 1900, respectively. The general headquarter is now in Xujiahui of Shanghai and several observational bases are set up in Sheshan, Songjiang District of the city. Astro-geodynamics, Galaxies & Cosmology and Planetary Science are the major basic research fields in SHAO. The main observational facilities include a 25-meter and a 65-meter radio telescope with a VLBI data processing center, a 1.56-meter optical telescope, and a 60-centimeter satellite laser ranging (SLR) telescope and GPS. SHAO manages the Chinese VLBI Network and the Chinese SLR Network. SHAO is planning to build the SKA Regional Science Data Center for Asia and Pacific.