Chongmingia zhengi was named by Wang et al. (2016) [A large non-ornithothoracine bird distinguishable from the known basal avialans by the following combination of features: the furcula is boomerang-shaped and robust, with an interclavicular angle of 68° (compared to 83° in Archaeopteryx, 84° in Confuciusornis, and 108° in Sapeornis); the coracoid and scapula are fused and form a scapulocoracoid; the proximal margin of humerus is concave centrally and bears an expanded deltopectoral crest; the alular metacarpal is long relative to the length of the carpometacarpus, with a length ratio of 0.32 (compared to 0.21 in Jeholornis and 0.23 in Sapeornis); the minor metacarpal is strongly bowed caudally, creating a wide intermetacarpal space with the major metacarpal; the proximal tarsals are fused to the tibia; the forelimb is short relative to the hindlimb (length ratio is 1.07, compared to 1.30 in Jeholornis, and 1.52 in Sapeornis); and pedal digit II is longer than IV.]. Its type specimen is STM 9-9, a partial skeleton (a partial skeleton with associated soft tissues and gastroliths, missing the skull and most of the caudal vertebrae), and it is a 3D body fossil. Its type locality is Gonggao, Chaoyang, which is in an Aptian terrestrial mudstone in the Jiufotang Formation of China.