I would like to welcome you all 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 11th to 15th of July, 2010.

Since its establishment in 1988, the Hong Kong Society of Rheumatology has been promoting rheumatology in Hong Kong. Our missions are to foster interest in the Rheumatology specialty among rheumatologists, non-rheumatology specialists, nurses, allied health care professionals and the public; improve the standard of care of patients with rheumatological disorders; and to liaise with organizations, associations, societies and medical schools in Hong Kong, mainland China, Taiwan, other Asia Pacific countries and overseas countries. These are achieved through regular scientific symposia, educational courses for doctors, trainees, specialists, health care professionals and the public, joint activities with societies, organizations and patients’ self-help groups of our locality and other geographical areas. We also publish a biannual Hong Kong Bulletin on Rheumatic Diseases and have established a scholarship for rheumatology fellows to attend overseas training in rheumatology. We also conduct audits on the quality of the rheumatology service and make recommendations for the management of different rheumatic conditions.

We are honored to host the APLAR 2010 Congress in Hong Kong. This 2-yearly meeting provides an opportunity for clinicians and scientists from the Asia Pacific region to exchange their research data and ideas. Through review lectures, courses, workshops and scientific symposia, we hope the APLAR 2010 will provide rheumatologists and other physicians a useful update on the pathogenesis, pathophysiology and therapeutics of various autoimmune diseases and chronic arthritic conditions. Programs for nurses and allied health care professionals will also be arranged. A number of renowned speakers from mainland China, Taiwan, other countries of the Asia Pacific region and western countries have been invited and sessions on clinical and basic research abstracts will provide young fellows and investigators a chance to present their hard work and collaborate with others.

Hong Kong is a city where the eastern and western culture meets. It is also a wonderful place for sightseeing, shopping, eating and leisure. We look forward to meeting you all in Hong Kong in year 2010.

Dr. Chi Chiu Mok
President, Hong Kong Society of Rheumatology