We give characterizations of a finite group $G$ acting symplectically on a rational surface ($\mathbb{CP}^2$ blown up at two or more points). In particular, we obtain a symplectic version of the dichotomy of $G$-conic bundles versus $G$-del Pezzo surfaces for the corresponding $G$-rational surfaces, analogous to the one in algebraic geometry. The connection with the symplectic mapping class group will be mentioned.

This is a joint work with Weimin Chen and Weiwei Wu (and partly with Jun Li).