The year 2025 marks the 110th anniversary of the Chinese Medical Association. As one of the founding institutions of modern plastic surgery in China, Department of Plastic Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Medical University (Xijing Hospital), has played a pioneering role in advancing the specialty since its establishment in 1955. The department has achieved remarkable innovations in key areas such as microsurgery, skin and soft tissue expansion, facial allotransplantation, and interdisciplinary integration. Through sustained efforts in platform development, talent cultivation, and scientific research, it has evolved into a comprehensive academic center. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the department’s 70-year developmental journey, highlights its major contributions, and outlines its future directions in promoting high-quality development in plastic surgery in China.

The year 2025 marks the 110th anniversary of the Chinese Medical Association. As one of the founding institutions of modern plastic surgery in China, Department of Plastic Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Medical University (Xijing Hospital), has played a pioneering role in advancing the specialty since its establishment in 1955. The department has achieved remarkable innovations in key areas such as microsurgery, skin and soft tissue expansion, facial allotransplantation, and interdisciplinary integration. Through sustained efforts in platform development, talent cultivation, and scientific research, it has evolved into a comprehensive academic center. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the department’s 70-year developmental journey, highlights its major contributions, and outlines its future directions in promoting high-quality development in plastic surgery in China.