This paper provides a bird's-eye view of our 25-year research work on gastric cancer, including both exploration of pathogenesis and preclinical or clinical applications of diagnosis and treatment. Although there have been achievements and reasons for applause, there are, nonetheless, more failings and teachings. Some problems that we experienced 25 years ago are still problems we have to face today. We are absolutely not singing the same old tune. Looking back makes us wiser and our way smoother. Although it is a long and arduous way to further study gastric cancer, we are willing to devote ourselves to it.