PRACTICAL INFORMATION
·Agenda
The theme of the 5th Asia-Europe Parliamentary Partnership Meeting (ASEP) is:
"Stronger Asia-Europe Cooperation for Common Development"
Item 1 Economic and trade field (tbc)
Item 2 Social and cultural field (tbc)
·Provisional Program
Wednesday, 18 June
All Day Arrival and registration of participants
Evening Reception dinner
Preparatory meeting
Drafting Committee session
Thursday, 19 June
Morning Inaugural ceremony
1st plenary session
Afternoon Panel discussions
Evening Reception dinner
Drafting committee session II
Friday, 20 June
Morning 2nd plenary session
Adoption of the meeting’s final document
Closing ceremony
Afternoon City tour and sightseeing
·Date and Venue
The 5th Meeting of Asia-Europe Parliamentary Partnership (ASEP) will be held in the Conference Center of the National People’s Congress in Beijing from 18 to 20 June 2008 (see map):
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·Documents
Pursuant to the Rules of Procedure of ASEP, the conference will adopt the Declaration of the 5th Asia-Europe Parliamentary Partnership Meeting. The declaration will be drafted by the secretariat and submitted to all member parliaments before 28 May. Member parliaments are encouraged to submit their contribution to the first draft final document by the date of 14 June. It would be appreciated if all delegations could submit their written speeches to the secretariat prior to the meeting to facilitate the work of documents compilation and distribution.
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The Secretariat of the 5th Meeting of ASEP |
Telephone: +86 10 6309-9519 |
·Accomodation and Transportation
The accommodation is in the Conference Center of the National People’s Congress and Jintai Hotel, both with special rates provided by the secretariat. Participants are kindly requested to contact the secretariat directly for hotel reservations. Hotel reservations follow the “first come first serve” principle.
Please complete and return the attached hotel reservation form before Friday, May 30 to:
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Ms. Wang Yixing |
Telephone: +86 10 6309-9519 |
Hotel Information:
1. Conference Center of the National People’s Congress
2 Xihuangchenggenbei St., Xicheng District
Beijing 100034, China
Telephone: +86 10 6309-1999
Fax: +86 10 6309-1909
2. Jintai Hotel (400m from Conference Center of the National People’s Congress)
38 Di’anmen West St., Xicheng District
Beijing 100035, China
Telephone:+86 10 6652-9988
Fax:+86 10 6616-7988
Notice:
The participants are responsible for their own expenses for accommodation and meals except those meals hosted by the conference. A credit card or deposit payment will be requested for the hotel check-in.
When delegations arrive and depart, the secretariat will provide the transportation between the hotel and the airport. The transportation for the official events and sightseeing tours organized by the conference will also be provided.
·Participation and Registration
Delegations are kindly asked to complete and return the attached registration form and hotel reservation form to the secretariat before 30 May.
In order to facilitate issuing the identity badges, participants are kindly requested to send their electronic photos by email in advance to asep@npc.gov.cn.
A Registration and Information Desk, located in the lobby of Conference Center of the National People’s Congress, will provide services for delegates registration, identity badges and documentation.
Please contact:
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Ms. Wang Yixing |
Telephone: +86 10 6309-9519 |
·Security and Identity Badges
All participants are requested to wear their identity badges throughout the conference. For security reasons, admission to the meeting venues, hotels and all program activities will be limited to those wearing identity badges.
·Languages
The working language of the ASEP meetings is English.
The Secretariat will provide the simultaneous interpretation for Chinese. Five language channels are available for other languages.
Participating parliaments that would like the proceedings to be interpreted in their preferred language shall have the responsibility to bring their own interpreters at their own expenses. They need to register with the secretariat in advance.
·Visa, Vaccination and Health
All participants, with the exception of those from countries having agreements of mutual exemption of visas with China, are required of visas to enter China. The visa will be issued according to relevant laws and regulations of China at Chinese embassies and consulates upon the invitation letter of H.E. Mr. Wu Bangguo, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of China. The application shall be filed at Chinese embassies and consulates at least 15 days prior to the opening of the conference.
Airlines may refuse to accept passengers without a valid visa.
The Chinese embassies and consulates will be happy to provide the information concerning the necessary certificates and/or formalities relevant to vaccination.
First aid facilities will be provided at the Conference Center of the National People’s Congress. All other medical facilities and prescriptions will be at the participants’ own expenses. They are advised to bring insurance coverage for personal accidents and medical expenses.
·Practical Information
Weather:
The average June temperature of Beijing ranges approximately from 18 to 30 degrees Celsius.
Electricity:
Electricity used in China is 220 volts 50 Hz.
Currency:
"Ren min bi" (or Chinese Yuan) is the official currency of China. Foreign currencies can be exchanged at banks, hotels, international airports and other foreign exchange sites.
Most banks open from 09:00 to 17:00 every day, except for Saturday and Sunday. The foreign exchange service is also available in the Conference Center of National People’s Congress and Jintai Hotel.