IFLA '96 - Beijing, China promises to break all records!

PRESS RELEASE: for immediate release
June 1996

The China Organizing Committee has informed IFLA Headquarters that a record-breaking number of 880 pre-conference registrations have already been received from abroad. An additional 800 Chinese participants have also registered. Furthermore, thanks to the personal efforts of high-ranking officials in the China Organizing Committee, strong delegations from Japan, Thailand, Singapore and Korea are anticipated. There follows a brief, chronological breakdown of the progress made so far with regard to preparations for IFLA '96, scheduled to take place from 25-31 August 1996 in Beijing, China.

February - March 1996

In February 1996, Mr Kuri Hara Hitoshi, President of the Japanese Library Association and Secretary General for the 52nd IFLA Conference held in Tokyo, Japan in 1986, met with the China Organizing Committee to exchange views and experiences.

Mr Leo Voogt, Secretary General of IFLA and Ms Carol Henry, Executive Officer, visited Beijing to discuss ways to offer help and advice regarding the smooth running of the conference and to make a site inspection

Mr Jiang Bingxin, Assistant to the Secretary General of the China Organizing Committee visited Thailand to publicize IFLA '96 and encourage representatives of the Thai library community to attend.

April - June 1996

Mr Li Yuanchao, the newly appointed Vice-Cultural Minister, who held the office of Director of Promotion of the Subcommittee for the 4th World Women's Assembly held in Beijing in 1995, and Mr Xu Wenbo, the Vice Cultural Minister, were appointed as Deputy Chairmen of the China Organizing Committee.

The Beijing International Convention Centre (BICC) organized a simulated display for registration at the Conference venue to identify and solve potential problems. One hundred "participants" took part.

Mr Du Ke, Secretary General of the China Organizing Committee visited Korea to discuss a cultural exchange between China and Korea. Mr Du Ke's successful visit has resulted in 74 registrations from Korea.

Mr Tang Shaoming, Vice Executive Secretary General of the China Organizing Committee visited Indonesia and Singapore to promote IFLA '96.

Mr Du Ke visited Taiwan and warmly invited Taiwanese colleagues to attend IFLA '96.

8000 copies of IFLA Express have been published, 7000 of which were circulated abroad

Thanks to an agreement between the China Organizing Committee and ChinaNet InforTech Co. Internet connectivity throughout the Conference has now been guaranteed: At least 20 PCs will be linked to the Internet!

A total of 183 booths have been booked in the Exhibition Halls. Ninety foreign firms have reserved booths.

Large delegations from a number of countries have already registered for the Conference: 166 participants from the USA; 50 from Denmark; 50 from the Russian Federation; 45 from the Netherlands; and 40 from the United Kingdom.

Two thousand hotel rooms have been pre-booked at very competitive prices in 9 hotels specifically for Conference delegates. The hotels range from 1-star to 5-stars.

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