Dear distinguished guests, colleagues and friends,

 

The 1^st Asian Oceania Conference of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine has come to reality along with the spring breeze of 2008. On behalf of the congress organizing committee, and also representing the two organizations of PRM in Mainland China, I have the utmost pleasure, and also greatly honored to welcome you all to this very important event in the history of PRM development in Asia and Oceania regions.

I am proud to say that this conference has received a very strong support of nearly 100 international speakers invited in coordination with the International Society of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine. Our two local PRM bodies, namely the Chinese Association of Rehabilitation Medicine and the Chinese Society of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, together with the support of the Chinese Association of Science and Technology, the Ministry of Health of the Chinese Government, and Jiangsu Provincial Government, have been working closely to ensure providing a cordial and harmonious atmosphere for this academic exchange. Dozens of manufacturers and companies related to the medical rehabilitation field have also shown their enthusiastic support by joining in the exhibition booths which I am sure you will find some time to visit during these conference days. My dear colleagues and good friends from all parts of Asia and Oceania regions have offered me great help in this wonderful work – to bring the tradition to the modern for a better quality of life for the disabled, the thememakingthis conference unique and splendid.

 

Nanjing is one of the most fascinating cities in China. Besides its many historical remains now designated as world heritage, it is also listed among the nation’s most advanced developing economic and industrial centers. The city itself is like a poem that has been carried through for thousand years and a book to be enjoyed reading again and again. It is a city that never fails to live up to the highest expectations. I wish you all will enjoy your stay not only in the academic participation in this Congress, but also sparing some time to explore Nanjing to experience its rich tradition.

 

 

Jianan Li, MD

Chairperson of the 1^st AOCPRM