Prevention, diagnosis and treatment of gastric cancer have always been one of the focus of cancer work in China. Currently, the challenges, from the applications of minimally invasive surgical techniques, practices of enhanced reco-very after surgery (ERAS), interdisciplinary and resource integration, and innovation of education and training system of talent development, have being bringing new opportunities to the development of gastric cancer surgery in China. There has been a good working basis for total laparoscopic surgery for gastric cancer and navigation surgery, but surgeons urgently need to conduct further clinical researches, select operative indications and accumulate evidence-based medicine proofs. On the strength of new research methods, ERAS should further select and optimize clinical strategies, and reduce the barriers to entry for application and dissemination. The artificial intelligence and big data technology will meet tremendous opportunities for gastric cancer and interconnection. Talent is the key to breakthrough, nevertheless, further opening research field, using the international advanced training system and training high-quality international talents will always be a cornerstone of the future developments. Gastric cancer surgery in China will make steadily progress toward the precision medicine only if grasping historical opportunities, continuing to promote innovations of technologies and ideas and guaranteeing patients′ benefits would be carried out. Key words: Gastric neoplasms; Surgical therapy; Opportunity; Challenge