This article summarizes the disciplinary distribution and administrative/hosting institutions of newly approved English scientific, technical, and medical (STM) journals with China Serial Number (CN) identifiers in 2024; and analyzes key characteristics of China’s English STM journals newly indexed in Science Citation Index (SCI) and Scopus databases in 2024. Detailed insights are provided into the application and funding status of the “Excellence Action Plan for China’s STM Journals” (EAP) Phase Ⅱ project, and the effectiveness of EAP Phase Ⅰ funding (2019–2023) is evaluated based on metrics such as Journal Impact Factor (JIF), total citations, and annual article output. Statistics show that the National Press and Publication Administration approved CN identifiers for 43 English STM journals in 2024, all of which were from the EAP’s High-start new journal projects or overseas journal return initiatives. Main hosting institutions of these journals were universities (25 journals, 58.1%), followed by academic societies (9 journals, 20.9%), research institutes (7 journals, 16.3%), and enterprises (2 journals, 4.7%). In 2024, SCI newly indexed 11 journals from the mainland of China, eight of which were newly launched since 2019. Seven of these 11 journals received EAP Phase Ⅰ funding, while five secured Phase Ⅱ funding. Based on Journal Citation Reports (JCR) 2023 rankings, 64.4% (181/281) of China’s SCI-indexed journals were in the first quartile (Q1) of their categories, and 39.8% (84/211) of journals indexed in the Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI) reached Q1. Additionally, Scopus added 150 China’s journals in 2024, including 70 English journals. Of all the 400 journals selected for EAP Phase Ⅱ, 358 (89.5%) were indexed by Scopus, including all 50 English "Leading Journals" and 149 (98.7%) of 150 English "Emerging Journals". Among the 50 Phase Ⅱ Leading Journals, 86% (43 journals) were Phase Ⅰ funded (Category A: 16; B: 12; C: 15). Among the 150 Emerging Journals, 48.7% (73 journals) were Phase Ⅰ-funded (A: 6; B: 14; C: 53). Universities hosted 62.2% (28/45) of newly approved High-start English journals, followed by research institutes (26.7%), academic societies (8.9%), and others (2.2%). Thirteen cluster pilot units under Phase Ⅱ now aggregate 1,786 journals (411 Chinese, 324 English, 51 bilingual/multilingual). Phase Ⅰ of EAP significantly boosted the quantity and impact of China’s English journals. Of 214 Phase Ⅰ approved High-start journals, 154 (72.0%) obtained CN identifiers between 2020 and 2024, accounting for 94.2% of all newly launched English journals with CN in this period. Seven of the 11 SCI-indexed journals in 2024 were Phase Ⅰ funded. From 2019 to 2023, 125 of the 216 continuously SCI-indexed China’s English journals received EAP funding. Funded journals outperformed non-funded ones, with average JIF rising from 3.7 (2019) to 6.8 (2023) and total citations increasing by 4,491(vs. 2,742 for all SCI journals and 2,089 for non-funded ones). The average annual article output growth for funded journals (57 articles) also exceeded non-funded (34) and global SCI averages (33). Under the strategic guidance of EAP, China’s English STM journals have achieved remarkable progress, particularly in academic impact metrics. However, most China’s English STM journals still rely on partnerships with international publishers for dissemination. With robust policy support, high-quality content, technological advancements, and skilled talent, the construction of China’s world-class journals is expected to continue to accelerate and better serve scientific research and innovation.