General Information
*SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT - H1N1 Influenza and Travel to Beijing*
Dear delegates,
The Micronutrient Forum Meeting in Beijing IS proceeding as scheduled on May 12-15, 2009. The meeting organizers are in close communication with the Chinese Center for Disease Control (Chinese CDC) regarding any alerts that may affect travel to the meeting. In addition, the meeting organizers are in contact with the WHO, US Centers of Disease Control (CDC), and various other government agencies to ensure we have the latest information to inform participants of the situation.
To date, no restrictions on international travel have been recommended by WHO and no special precautions have been urged for screening travelers on either entry or departure from one country to another. Despite WHO guidance, travelers may experience health checks at airports used in transit on their journey to Beijing. Travelers may also experience unexpected delays on departure and arrival of their flights.
The Chinese authorities are requiring visitors entering China to report flu-like symptoms at the point of entry especially for those coming from H1N1 Influenza-affected places. People reporting flu-like symptoms will be examined at the port of entry and those who have been infected or are suspected to be infected by the virus will be isolated and treated.
We recognize the concern that many of you have about the current situation. Be reassured that we are monitoring the situation very closely and will do our best to keep you informed about decisions that might affect your travel to the meeting. We remain optimistic and look forward to seeing you all in Beijing.
If you have any questions or concerns please e-mail mnforum@aed.org.
General Conference Information
On behalf of the Micronutrient Forum and the Chinese Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it is our pleasure to invite you to attend the second international meeting of the Micronutrient Forum from the 12th to the 15th of May 2009 in Beijing, China. Since its creation in 2006, the Micronutrient Forum has played a role internationally as a catalyst and convener for sharing expertise, insights, and experience relevant to the control of micronutrient deficiencies and their consequences around the globe. The Forum is the successor to two scientific organizations aimed at advancing the control of vitamin A and iron deficiencies: the International Vitamin A consultative Group (IVACG) and the International Nutritional Anemia Group (INACG).
The Micronutrient Forum focuses primarily on micronutrient deficiencies of public health significance, particularly vitamin A, iron, folate, iodine and zinc. As with international IVACG and INACG meetings in the past, the Forum encourages innovation, recognizes important research findings, increases awareness of the latest data and promotes consensus and recognition of important policy implications and programs. The Forum invites leading scientists, policy makers, and programmers to present their latest research and operational findings, and facilitates dialogue among these groups on use of the available evidence in reducing deficiencies of vitamins and minerals. Participants come from academic and research institutions, international agencies, food and ingredient industries, national ministries, educational institutions, non-governmental organizations, and clinical and community nutrition organizations.
The Forum meeting will foster the exchange of new ideas, encourage innovations, present the latest research findings, increase awareness of the latest survey data, and promote action programs that translate these findings into practical application for the control of micronutrient deficiencies around the world.
The Micronutrient Forum Secretariat is pleased to provide Forum attendees with general information on Beijing as well as recommendations to make your stay in the city both enjoyable and safe.
Who Will Attend?
Over 700 policymakers, program managers, and scientists representing international agencies, food and chemical industries, national ministries, educational institutions and non-governmental organizations from the fields of health, nutrition, biochemistry, agriculture, education, communication, and development will attend this 4-day meeting, representing over 60 countries around the world.
For additional information on the Micronutrient Forum Meeting, including abstract submission requirements, sponsorship guidelines and registration details, please refer to the links on this website.
2009 Micronutrient Forum Venue and Official Hotel
The 2009 Micronutrient Forum will be held at the Beijing International Convention Center (BICC), located in the heart of the Olympic Games Village and immediately adjacent to the "Bird's Nest" and "Water Cube," which featured prominently in the 2008 Summer Olympics. The BICC is one of the largest facilities in Beijing specifically designed for large professional conferences and exhibitions such as the Micronutrient Forum. Plenary sessions for the Forum will be held in the BICC's spacious Main Hall, with a significant scientific poster exhibition located on the same level in Hall 2. The space's 800 square meter foyer area will be devoted to exhibitions, allowing Forum attendees the opportunity to learn about innovative micronutrient-related programming and commercial initiatives around the world. The BICC complex also includes a number of cafes, restaurants and social gathering areas for Forum attendees to meet informally. Located approximately 12 kilometers from Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City and 14 kilometers from the Central Beijing Railway station, the BICC offers easy access to Beijing's many sites by subway and taxi.
Language
English is the official language of the meeting, and all meeting materials will be printed in English. Simultaneous interpretation into Chinese will be available for the plenary meeting sessions.
Additional Information
For pre-departure information on airline discounts, visa requirements, immunizations, and airport transfers, please visit our Pre-Departure Tips webpage. For additional information on travel and transport within Beijing, restaurant suggestions, and other informational material to assist you with your stay in Beijing, visit our In Beijing webpage.
About Beijing
As China's modern and bustling capital, Beijing, is the country's political, economic, and cultural center. One of the six ancient cities of China, with a history dating back thousands of years, Beijing today is a vast metropolis of over 16 million residents. Despite the recent global economic downturn, China has continued to rise as one of the world's great economic powers, and modern Beijing's shining high-rise office towers, fleets of new cars and buses clogging the highways at all hours, trendy shopping centers throughout the city, new subway lines, and the gleaming international airport give testimony to the capital's success. Despite this, Beijing is a city of contradictions, where modern high rise towers and the narrow winding streets of low-slung hutong neighborhoods coexist.
International delegates will find plenty to see and do in their free hours in the city, from Tiananmen Square, the sprawling Forbidden City, and the largest sacrificial complex in the world—the Temple of Heaven. The centrally located Wangfuijing shopping area, with its high-end shops; the Pearl Market, with its expansive offerings of pearls of all shapes, sizes, and quality; the Silk Street Market, offering everything under the sun, and numerous other markets throughout the city, will provide hours of entertainment for the intrepid shopper. Remember to haggle in the markets as vendors will often start with prices significantly higher than a local would ever consider. Evening activities range from the Beijing Opera, acrobatics and martial arts demonstrations, to a wide variety of restaurants, cinemas, concerts, pubs and coffee shops. For entertainment suggestions, please check with the hotel concierge or sign up for one of the optional tours organized by our local logistics partner, the China Comfort Travel Agency.
Practicalities
Languages: Mandarin Chinese. Some English is spoken in hotels, tourist sites, restaurants and shops catering to international travelers and business persons. Subway maps, street signs, and many restaurant menus are both in Mandarin and Chinese. Many restaurants will also offer picture menus to assist non-Mandarin speakers.
While language issues may present the occasional difficulty for international travelers, Beijing's residents are also warm and approachable and will do their best to help a lost traveler, despite language difficulties. Remember to pick up a taxi card at the front desk of your hotel or to download and print a Service Card, which will help you show taxi drivers where you are heading at the end of an evening out on the town.
Average May Temperatures : May tends to be hot and humid in Beijing, with temperatures ranging from 70-85 degrees Fahrenheit. Rainfall in May tends to be minimal.
Local Time : GMT+8 hours
Electricity : Most electricity is 220 volts AC/50 Hz, with most venues (including the BICC and the Beijing Continental Grand Hotel) offering universal plugs.
Currency and Money Issues : The official currency of China is the Yuan, also known as the Renminbi (the People's currency or RMB). As of January 2009, the official exchange rate was 6.8 RMB per $1. ATM machines and banks are plentiful in Beijing, and ATMs are generally the easiest way to obtain local currency. In most cases, your home bank will charge a service fee (check with your bank before leaving home). Traveler's checks are widely accepted by banks and currency exchange offices. Major credit cards such as Visa and MasterCard are accepted at hotels and major retail centers.
Tipping : Except at high-end restaurants, where a service charge is often included (usually 15%), tipping is not customary in restaurants or for taxi rides.
Safety and Scams : Beijing is considered a safe city by international standards, with few reports of crime against foreigners. Travelers should be cautious in keeping their bags close to them in crowded areas to avoid pick-pocketing. Some tea houses and restaurants will have a "foreigner's menu" with prices set much higher than for locals-particularly around the Tiananmen Square area. Forum participants are advised to always check menu prices carefully before ordering. More a nuisance than a hazard, in tourist-frequented parts of the cities, including the markets, vendors will be a bit aggressive in hawking their wares. A solid "no thank you" repeated firmly (although multiple times) will get your lack of interest across. On taxi rides be sure all taxi drivers turn on their meters when you start your journey, particularly when traveling from the airport, to ensure you are not overcharged. Lastly, the Chinese authorities have the right to ask for identification at all times, therefore we recommend that you carry your passport in a safe place when visiting historic sites, market, restaurants, or just visiting the various neighborhoods and streets of Beijing.