Conference Period
April 17 (Tue) ¨C 20 (Fri), 2012

Venue
Beijing Friendship Hotel
Telphone£º +86-10-68498888
Fax£º +86-10-68498866
Address£º1 Zhongguancun South St. Beijing 100873, P.R. China

Language
English and Chinese. Simultaneous interpretation will be available for the plenary session.

About Beijing
As the proud capital of modern China, Beijing is fast becoming a popular and fashionable tourist destination. And for good reason too. Beijing is not only the modern political, cultural and educational center of China, but holds the biggest collection of ancient sites and relics in the nation. Beijing has been at the center of China and the heart and soul of politics and society for over 500 years. Especially after the superb 29th Olympic is successfully held, Beijing becomes more and more beautiful.

Weather in Beijing
Beijing's climate is defined as "continental monsoon." Please visit http://www.wunderground.com/global/stations/54511.html to learn the information about the weather in Beijing.

Passport and Visa
Passports, valid for at least six months from the entry into China, and entry visas are required to visit China. Visas may not be required for visitors from certain countries, and Beijing Conference participants are advised to consult the nearest Chinese diplomatic mission for details. A single entry visa is valid for three months, and can be extended for an additional month at the Foreigners Section of the Beijing Public Security Bureau if necessary.

Once in China, the Beijing Conference participants are advised to carry their passports on them at all times because the passports may be needed to check into hotels, book airline tickets, and change money. To apply for visas, participants should first fill out and send in the registration form with the appropriate fee. Beijing Conference Secretariat will then send a formal invitation via email or airmail with which the Conference participants can apply for a visa at the Chinese diplomatic mission indicated in the invitation. This application should be made preferably at least one month before departure for China.

Electricity
The electric current used in China is 220V 50Hz.The hotels can provide 220V power outlets. Please note that plug adapters may be necessary.

Shopping Hours
Stores open at 8:30 or 9:00 and close at 20:30 or 21:00, every day of the week. Currency and Banking Chinese Yuan (Renminbi) is the only currency used in China. Money exchanges by cash or traveler¡¯s checks can be made at the branches of the Bank of China at Beijing Captial International Airport, hotels and tourist stores. Banks usually open at 9:00 a.m.and close at 5:00p.m. everyday of the week.

Liability
In all cases the organizers of Beijing Conference shall only act as an agent and shall not be liable for any losses, accidents, personal injury, or damage to property of any kind and origin what so ever. The liability of the persons or companies instructed to provide the services shall not be affected. Amendments shall not be valid unless mutually agreed in writing and signed by the two contracting parties. The place of jurisdiction for fully qualified merchants, persons who do not have a general place of jurisdiction in China, and persons who have relocated their place of residence to a foreign country after the conclusion of the agreement shall be Beijing.

Arrival
All international flights and most domestic flights arrive in Beijing at Beijing Capital International Airport. Beijing's Capital International Airport lies 30 km (18.6 miles) northeast of the city center (a 45 minute car ride without much traffic). The trip from airport to the city center runs about RMB 100 by tax.