Frequently Asked Questions

Registration

Q: What is the registration procedure?
A: Fill out the registration form, e-mail or fax it to Ms Jing Ma, CICCST, 86 Xueyuan Nan Lu, Beijing 100081, China, Fax. (86-10) 6218 0142; e-mail: jingma@ciccst.org.cn. If you are going to pay the registration fee by bank transfer, enclose a copy of bank remittance receipt; if you are going to pay by bank draft (bank cheque/money order), make it payable to CICCST/ICSG2006, and enclose it with the registration form. The deadline for receipt of bank draft is September 20, 2006. 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 meeting.

Q: What does the registration fee include?
A: Opening Ceremony, plenary sessions, working lunches, welcome reception, and conference banquet, coffee breaks, a copy of abstract book, and attendance to the exhibition.

Q: What is the cutoff date to register for the meeting?
A: There are several deadline dates for registration:

• Early registration: Payment before July 31, 2006
• Normal registration: Payment before the start of ICSG 2006.
• On-site registration: Payment on site.

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 September 9, 2006, for a 75% refund of the registration fee. No refund for cancellation later than that date.

Q: If I register for the conference, but find out that I cannot attend, can I get the conference materials?
A: If you request for and receive refund, you are not entitled to the conference 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 meeting 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 at present.

Q: How can I pay with credit card?
A: You may fill out the registration form with your credit card information. You may also send a separate credit card payment authorization paper 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$1500), 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). We suggest that you fax your registration early enough before the deadline date.

Q: Why is there a discrepancy between the amount of my bank remittance and the amount you received?
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 the amount of my intended payment in the registration form 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 change 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 four 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. 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. This problem is most probably due to the lack of registrant's information in the bank remittance order so that even if we receive the money, we could not tell whose money it is.

Q: What method of payment will be accepted on-site?
A: Cash and credit card, in US dollars.

Q: Can a participant be invoiced for their registration?
A: No, unless your institution or company makes the request.

Visa

Q: Does everyone needs a visa to China?
A: As far as we know, visitors from Japan and Singapore who stay for no more than 15 days do not need the entry visa; but they must hold a valid passport. Other foreigners are requested to apply for the entry 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 conference and pay an appropriate registration fee. If the information of your passport is supplied with the registration form, an official invitation will be mailed to you for your visa application. The second is to ask your travel agent to arrange a tourist visa for you.

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: I am a citizen of one country but am now working in another country with a permanent residence permit. Can I apply for visa in the country where I am working?
A: Yes. 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 mailed 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). 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.

Q: What kinds of passengers can apply for visa on arrival in China?
A: Only the following are entitled to apply for visa uppon arrival in China:

• Beiing temporarily invited by Chinese side to participate in trade fairs
• Participating in biddling or signing formal business contract in China on invitation
• Supervising import and export commodity inspection or participating in contract acceptance as described in contract
• Participating in equipment installation or engineering salvage on invitation
• Solving the claim of compensation in China according to the requiement of Chinese side
• Providing scientific and technical consultation on invitation
• Visiting severe patients or attending funerals

Local Tours

Q: Where is the meeting point for the local tours?
A: All local tours will start in front of the Friendship Palace.

Q: Can I buy the local tour tickets before the bust leave?
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 tour?
A: Generally, the tour bus will be back at about 4:30 pm to 5:oo 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: No refund will be made on after the purchase of the tour ticket, but you can swap the ticket.

Post-Conference Tours

Q: What is the climate and weather during the tour? And what clothing should I take?
Q: October is the late Autumn season in north China. You had better take warm clothes with you such as sweaters and jackets.

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 transportation, accommodation in three-star hotels (standard two-bed rooms), regular meals, admission tickets to the specified sites, local transportation and air-trip accident insurance. The quoted prices do not include charges for 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: 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.

Arrival and Transportation

Q: How can I change money for taxi when I arrive?
A: On the ground/first floor of Terminal 2, you can find Industrial and and Commercial Bank of China or Agricultural Bank of China opposite Gate 7. On the second floor, you can find China Construction Bank or China Minsheng Banking Corp. or Bank of China opposite Gate 8.

Q: How can I get to the conference site from the airport?
A: There are airport shuttle buses and taxi service at the Beijing Capital International Airport whenever there are flights. The airport shuttle bus station is located outside Gate 9 to Gate 11 of Terminal 2. The fare is 16 yuan per person. Line 2 goes to the conference site. Day time service (08:30-20:30) is as follows:

• Line 1: Airport → Sanyuan Qiao → Dongzhi Men → Dongsi Shitiao Qiao → Xi'dan
• Line 2: Airport → International Exhibition Center → Xibahe → Anzhen Qiao → Madian Qiao → Bei Taipingzhuang → Friendship Hotel → Beijing TV Station → Zizhu Qiao → Hangtian Qiao → Zongzhu Fen
• Line 3: Airport → Yuyang Hotel → Dongda Qiao → Chaoyang Men → Yaobao Lu → Beijing Railway Station
• Line 4: Airport → Liangma Qiao → Hujialou → Guomao → Panjiayuan → Shilihe → Fangzhuang
• Line 5: Airport → Wangjing → Xiaoying → Yayun Cun → Xueyuan Lu → Zhongguan Cun

The night time service (23:00-the last flight) is as follows:

• Airport → Yuyang Hotel → Dongda Qiao → Chaoyang Men → Yaobao Lu → Beijing Railway Station

Q: Is there a shuttle to the airport when I leave for home?
A: You may go to the shuttle bus stop outside the north (east) gate of the hotel. The shuttle runs every 15-30 minutes.

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, it includes one breakfast.

Q: Is the tap water drinkable?
A: Tap water is not drinkable except in big hotels. All hotel rooms are supplied with a thermos of boiled 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: How can I get our breakfasts if I have booked a room for myself and my friend?
A: You only have to ask the hotel for extra breakfast coupon. And this will be charged to your bill when you check out.

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: What is the cutoff date to make room reservations? Can I make reservation after this date?
A: The deadline date for hotel reservation is August 1, 2006. Whether reservation of a room after this date will be honored will depend on the availability of the rooms.

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 September 9.

Miscellaneous

Q: Will lunch be provided?
A: Yes, the registration fee includes lunch during the conference. 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: 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.