Frequently Asked Questions

• Registration

• Q: What is the registration procedure?
  • A: First, please register online. If you are going to pay the registration fee by bank transfer, fax a copy of bank remittance receipt; if you are going to pay by credit card, download a payment authorization form, fill out and fax to us. After receipt, we will mail you an invitation for visa application. Simultaneously we will inform you of the receipt and confirm your registration. The official receipt of the registration fee will be given to you after you arrive at the Congress.
• Q: What does the participant registration fee include?
  • A: Welcome Reception on Monday, August 10, Beijing Night on Saturday, Autgust 14 (for full participant only), and working lunches; admission to the complete scientific program and the exhibition, and an Abstract Book
• Q: What is the cutoff date to register for the conference?
  • A: There are several deadline dates for registration:
    

    Early bird registration: April 30, 2009

    Regular Registration: From May 1, 2009 to July 9, 2009

    Late/On-Site Registration: After July 10, 2009

• Q: How can I cancel my registration, what must I do?
  • A: Cancellation of registration must be submitted in writing and must be received on or before April 30, 2009, for a full refund of the registration fee; or on or before June 10, 2009 for a 50% refund of the registration fee. No refund for cancellation later than that date. You may send a fax to +86-10-6894 9229 attn. Renli Wei or send an email to register2009@caas.net.cn.
• Q: If I registered but cannot attend, can I get the conference materials?
  • A: If you request for and receive refund, you are not entitled to the congress materials. If your registration is paid in full and you do not attend, and If you do not ask for refund or it is too late to claim refund, you must make a written request to the secretariat for the materials. Arrangements will be made to mail you the final program and a copy of the abstracts.

• Payment

• Q: Can I pay over Internet with my credit card?
  • A: No. This service is not available.
• Q: How can I pay with credit card?
  • A: You may also fax or mail a separate signed credit card payment authorization paper, which can be downloaded from the web site, to the Secretariat to allow us to debit your credit card for the payment.
• Q: Why did I receive a notice that payment with my credit card is not honored?
  • A: This is because the card company refused to pay if the amount was quite large (this is often the case when the amount is over US$ 1600), or you did not often pay to the overseas charges so the card company suspected if the payment was authorized. In addition, if more than one registrant use one card, payment refusal may also occur when the card is charged the second time.
    The best way to avoid these is to inform your credit card company of the payment before we debit your credit card.
• Q: Why did you not receive my fax of payment authorization?
  • A: This may occur if too much fax pours in over a short period of time (such as on the deadline day of the registration and payment). We suggest that you fax your payment form early enough before the deadline date.
• Q: Why did you receive less amount than my bank remitted?
  • A: All in-coming bank remittance will go to the Bank of China. If your bank does not have a direct business relation with the Bank of China, it may have to go through a third bank, which may deduct a certain amount of money (US$15-40) from what you remitted for their cost.
• Q: Why is there a discrepancy between my intended payment and the amount debited in my credit card?
  • A: Firstly, our credit card system requires that all payment be made in the local Chinese money. So there is a loss due to the exchange rate. This is usually less than one percent of the total. Then, if the discrepancy is two or even three percent, we suspect that the third or even the fourth banking company handling the credit card business between our bank and your bank has collected the handling fees (the transaction has to go through several companies to finally arrive at your credit card company).
• Q: I sent my money through bank, but have not got any answer. What can I do?
  • A: Usually it takes no more than a week for a telegraph bank transfer. If there is no answer in two weeks, it may mean that we are not aware of your remittance, especialy when neither the congress's name nor the participants's name is indicated in the remittance order. Please email to notify us and fax us (or email as an attachment) a copy of your bank remittance receipt so that we can check with our bank.
• Q: What method of payment will be accepted on-site?
  • A: Cash and credit card, in US dollars or Chinese currency.
• Q: will participants be automatically invoiced for their registration?
  • A: No, unless your institution or company makes the request.

• Visa

• Q: How can I get my visa to China?
  • A: There are two ways to get your visa. The first is to register with the congress and pay an appropriate registration fee. If the information of your passport is supplied, an official invitation will be mailed to you or a scanned copy of the invitation emailed to you for your visa application. The second is to ask your travel agent to arrange a tourist visa for you. Those from Japan and Singapore with a ordinary passport do not need an entry visa if they stay less than 15 days.
• Q: What documentation is required to apply for a Chinese Visa?
  • A: Your valid and actual passport with blank visa pages, one additional passport photo, one application form, and the official invitation. The passport must have at least six months left before it expires when you apply.
• Q: Can I apply for visa in the country where I am working but not a cizizen?
  • A: Yes, if you have a permanent residence permit. But in addition to the documents required for visa application, you should provide a photocopy of the permanent residence permit or social security card to support your application.
• Q: When can I receive the official invitation for visa from the organizer?
  • A: As soon as we receive your registration form with appropriate payment of registration fee, the invitation will be issued to you. Depending on the delivery conditions, three to four weeks for the post delivery should be anticipated.
• Q: How long is a visa valid?
  • A: A Chinese visa is good for 90 days from the date of issuance. Within 90 days, you can enter China, and from the date of your entrance, you can stay in China for at most 30 days (the duration period is written in the visa label) if the visa is still valid. But the visa can be extended for a month at the Foreigners Section of the Beijing Public Security Bureau if necessary.
• Q: When should I go to the embassy/consulate to claim my visa?
  • A: Since a visa is valid for 90 days, you may start your application 90 days before your planned departure from China. We suggest that you apply for the entry visa one month before your planned arrival.
• Q: Can I go to any Chinese consulate-general or embassy to apply for my visa?
  • A: First, you should make the application in your own country or the country where you have a permanent residence. Then, if there are more than one Chinese diplomatic mission, you are supposed to apply to the Chinese Consular post that holds jurisdiction over your area of residence. Otherwise, complication or delay in processing or even denial of application may result.

• Local Tours

• Q: Where is the meeting point for the local tours?
  • A: All local tours will start in front of Beijing International Convention Center, at 8:30 am. Please arrive to meet the tour guide at 8:15.
• Q: Can I buy the local tour tickets before the bus leaves?
  • A: Yes if you have the exact amount of cash and if there is space on the tour bus.
• Q: What kind of tour guides can we have?
  • A: Your tour guides are all trained and licensed English-speaking guides.
• Q: When will we be back to the hotel after the day tour?
  • A: Generally, the tour bus will be back at about 5:00 pm if there is no traffic jam.
• Q: Can you refund me if I cannot go with the tour? If yes, how and when?
  • A: The reservation for the local tours and the evening program cannot be cancelled after the payment, but you are permitted to change the tour date or tour circuit FIFTEEN days ahead of the departure date.

• Pre- and Post-Congress Tours

• Q: What is the minimum amount I should pay to reserve a pre- or post-congress tour?
  • A: A nonrefundable deposit of US$200.00 is required, and the balance must be made THIRTY days ahead of the departure date.
• Q: Could I book a post-congress tour after arrival in Beijing?
  • A: It depends on the availability of hotel rooms and air tickets. Consequently, it is highly recommended that you make reservations as early as possible.
• Q: What is the climate and weather during the tour? And what clothing should I take?
  • A: In August all China is still in summer, and hot temperature and rains are common. An umbrella may be needed. a jacket will be sufficient for the evening.
• Q: What is covered and what is not covered for the tour?
  • A: The quoted prices for the tours include inter-city domestic air or motorcoach or rail transportation, accommodation in four- or three-star hotels (standard two-bed rooms), regular Chinese meals, admission tickets to the specified sites, and local transportation. The quoted prices do not include charges for insurance, excess luggage, personal expenses, and tips.
• Q: What does it mean by single or double occupancy?
  • A: Single occupancy means one person in one room. Double occupancy means two persons in one room (with two beds). If you book a double room, you have to appoint your own roommate and pay the double occupancy rate for two persons (unless the other person pays his/her own).
• Q: What is food like during the tour?
  • A: All breakfasts are western style buffet with juice, milk, eggs, sausage, cereals, and Chinese dim sum plates. Lunch and dinner are Chinese food in family style, with ten people at a round table.
• Q: Can I leave my luggage if I take a post-congress tour?
  • A: Since all post-congress tours will end up in Beijing, it is possible to deposit your luggage in hotel. We highly recommend that you carry with you the valuables and necessities and store the rest part of your luggage in the hotel.
• Q: What are the baggage limits during the tours on air travel?
  • A: You are allowed to check in luggage under 20 kilograms (44 pounds) total, and one carry on of 5 kilograms (11 pounds). The fee for extra baggage or overweight baggage will be charged. The liability of the airlines is limited for lost or damaged luggage. Passengers may apply for insurance coverage above the minimum value for checked luggage. You are advised to take only one suitcase and one carry-on bag.
• Q: If I cannot go with the tour, can I get refund?
  • A: If a written cancellation is made THIRTY days before tour departure date, full deposit except deposit can be refunded. If cancellation is received within 30 days of tour departure, a percentage of the payment will be refunded. Please refer to the Terms and Conditions for the tours.

• Transportation

• Q: How can I get to the congress venue/my hotel from the airport?
  • A: There are airport shuttle buses and taxi service at the Beijing Capital International Airport whenever there are flights. One shuttle bus route goes by Yayuncun (Asian Games Village) where the Congress venue is located. The taxi cost from the airport to the congress venue is about CNY 100 yuan with extra highway fee 10 yuan/car. Please be advised that you are not supposed to accept help of taxi service from anyone other than at the taxi stand (outside of airport lobby).
• Q: Is there a shuttle to the airport when I leave for home?
  • A: There is no airport shuttle near the congress venue or hotel.
• Q: Is there a cheap way to go downtown or for signtseeing?
  • A: Public buses are cheap, but are crowded and slow. You may take subway line 5 at Huixin Xijie Beikou (North End of West Huixin Street) Station, which is some 20 minutes walk away from Congress venue, and get off at Yonghe Gong (for Lama Temple), or at Dongdan (for Wangfujing Shopping area and Tian'anmen Square), or at Tiantan Dongmen (for Temple of Heaven). This line is also crownded but is quite fast.

• Hotel

• Q: How can I call home from the hotel?
  • A: International calls can be made directly in the hotel rooms. For low call rates, you can dial the calls at large post offices or with an IP calling card (the card value is 50 yuan or 100 yuan (US$ 6 or 12)).
• Q: Does the hotel rate include breakfast?
  • A: Yes, some include one breakfast; some include two, or three.
• Q: Is the tap water drinkable?
  • A: Tap water is not drinkable except in big hotels. Hotel rooms are generally supplied with a thermos of boiled water, or two bottled water. To be on the safe side, drink the bottled water, which could be bought at groceries, supermarks and department stores.
• Q: Should I bring a converter?
  • A: In China, 220 volt/50 cycle is used. Appliances designed to operate at 110 volts will need a converter, although some hotels are wired for use of 110-volt electrical appliances. Two-phase and three-phase sockets are commonly used in hotels. You may also need an adapter plug in order to use your electrical appliances.
• Q: Is a deposit necessary for hotel reservation?
  • A: Absolutely yes, although without the deposit you may possibly also get a room if the hotel is not fully booked.
• Q: Can I make reservation after the cutoff date?
  • A: But as the number of the rooms is limited we suggest that you make your reservation as early as possible.
• Q: What must I do to cancel my room reservations?
  • A: A written request for cancellation and refund of the deposit must be made and received by the secretariat before July 31, 2009.

• Miscellaneous

• Q: Will lunch be provided?
  • A: Yes, the registration fee includes lunch during the congress. For the time and location, see directions on the final program after you arrive.
• Q: What are the best buys in Beijing for souvenirs?
  • A: Arts and crafts and historical relics are the best choices. Especially, we recommend silk, cloisonné, jadeware and lacquerware.
• Q: Can I easily get English assistance on the street in Beijing?
  • A: Although English is extensively taught in high schools and colleages, it is not easy to find one who can well understand your questions and give you an answer. Travel books may solve part of the problems, but for a non-native, even finding your way will become a complex multi-hour task. That's why we provide LT/EP tours for the participants at WSRC VIII.
• Q: Is tipping practiced in China?
  • A: Although officially prohibited, tipping is now widely accepted and expected by tour guides, hotel staff and tour bus or car drivers, in recognition of their good service.
• Q: Do I need any shots before traveling to China?
  • A: None is required for a short visit in China, although your doctor might recommend some.
• Q: Do I have to buy a travel insurance before traveling to China?
  • A: Traveling to a country far from your home, one should always expect the unexpected. Travel insurance always helps. With a small sum of premium, it covers trip cancellation, baggage damage or loss, accidents on the trip, etc.