Welcome to Hong Kong and welcome to the 14th Asia Pacific League of Associations for Rheumatology (APLAR) Congress, which will be held in the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre from 11 to 15 July 2010.

The biennial APLAR Congress is the premiere educational event in rheumatology in the Asia Pacific region. We envisage that the 2010 APLAR Congress will attract broad interest as many new treatment modalities have become available for inflammatory arthritis and connective tissue disease. The meeting will concentrate on new insights on pathogenesis and therapeutics of rheumatology and related sub-specialties. Internationally recognized keynote speakers will discuss recent advances in arthritis care and selected abstracts will be presented.

Concurrent symposia on rehabilitation and nursing care for arthritis patients will be held during the Hong Kong Congress. Members of the allied health professionals, including nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, will discuss new development in the treatment and care of patients suffering from rheumatic disease.

Hong Kong is easily accessible by air from almost all Asia Pacific countries. Delegates from mainland China can travel to Hong Kong by train. An attractive social program will enable our delegates and their family members to enjoy the city, where the East meets the West. Hong Kong is a vibrant cosmopolitan city with unique opportunities for sightseeing, shopping, dining and entertainment.

The Hong Kong Society of Rheumatology would like to warmly invite you to participate in the 14th APLAR Congress and looks forward to welcoming you to Hong Kong in 2010.

Dr. Tak Hin CHAN
Chairman, Host Organizing Committee, Hong Kong 2010 APLAR Congress