As the immediate past president of APLAR and someone
who was brought up in Hong Kong, I have double pleasure
to invite you to the 14th APLAR Congress of Rheumatology
to be held in July 2010 in Hong Kong.
The APLAR Congress of Rheumatology is a primary
platform for the promotion of the diagnosis and
management of rheumatic diseases in Asia. It allows
clinicians and scientists from the region to showcase
their research achievements, and encourages sharing
of information with the rest of the world on the
burden and management of musculoskeletal diseases.
It also provides a great opportunity for medical
and allied health personnel to interact with patients
and stakeholders of health funding bodies and the
industries. The Congress has grown steadily and
significantly over the years both in the number
of participants and abstracts and the scope of the
scientific programs. It is indeed an honor of Hong
Kong that APLAR has selected this vibrant city to
host the 14th APLAR Congress of Rheumatology. The
intended program will cover a broad range of topics
on basic science, translational medicine and clinical
innovations, with an emphasis on the role of biologic
therapies in the management of rheumatic diseases.
Located in the south coast of China, Hong Kong
is one of the two special administrative regions
of China, and a gateway to the rest of the country.
It is one of the world's leading financial centers,
and is proud of the high quality and efficient health
care system that it provides its citizens. Medical
research has a long history in Hong Kong, particularly,
there is a rich pool of clinical and research expertise
in the field of rheumatology. Besides the above,
Hong Kong is one of the most unique cities in the
world where East meets West, a meeting which is
reflected in its inhabitants, their customs, economic
infrastructure, education and culture. On one street
corner, there may be traditional Chinese shops selling
Chinese herbal medicine or Buddhist paraphernalia,
but around the next, one may find theaters showing
the latest Hollywood blockbuster, an English-style
pub, or a Catholic Church.
The 14th APLAR Congress of Rheumatology promises
to be a great meeting for clinicians and scientists
involved in the management of people with rheumatic
diseases, and an excellent opportunity for them
and their family to visit this fascinating city
of Hong Kong. Join us in 2010.
Prof. Chak Sing LAU
Immediate Past President (2006 - 2008)
