APEC Symposium

“Education to Achieve 21st Century Competencies and Skills for All: Respecting the Past to Move Toward the Future, ” the 2nd APEC Symposium on Education Reform will take place in Xi’an, China, from January 15-17, 2008.

Shangri-La Golden Flower
8 Chang Le Road West
Xian 710032
China
T: (86 29) 8323 2981
F: (86 29) 8323 5477
http://www.shangri-la.com/en/property/xian/goldenflower

City Information: Xi'an, capital of Shaanxi Province, with a 6,000-year history, was known as Chang'an in ancient times. For over 1,000 years the city has been capital for 13 dynasties, and a total of 73 emperors ruled here. With so much history within the ground the city lies upon, it's no wonder that there are so many historical ruins and, in the museums, cultural relics. Even before the lives of Christ, Mohammad, and Siddhartha, Xi'an was a world class city and already influencing the world outside of The Great Wall of China. As the eastern terminus of the Silk Road, traders from far and wide brought goods and ideas for sale and took goods and ideas back with them to their communities.

Praised as "the capital of table delicacies," Xi’an has been rich in the delicious Shaanxi snack, delicate Guangdong Cuisine, various kinds of fashionable foreign delicacies, and popular Sichuan Cuisine such as the hot pot. Among all the delicacies, the most famous and popular one is the Muslim Snack Street.

With around 8.2 million in population, Xi’an is the most important city in northwest China, and so there are a lot of shopping outlets for locals and tourists alike.

Further information about Xi’an and surrounding areas is available through the Tourism Administration of Xi’an at http://en.xian-tourism.com/

Weather: The weather in Xi'an is seasonal. Summer in Xi'an is hot and rainy while winter it is usually cold and dry. For current conditions and access to forecasts, click here.

Time Difference
Xi’an (“Beijing Time”) is 8 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT + 10 hours). Click here to go to the World Clock site to view the actual time in China.

The following is an overview of the symposium agenda. For the official agenda, please click the Agenda link above.

Each of the five plenaries will include:

Day One is devoted to setting the agenda for the day and three panel discussions on:

Day Two continues with two panel discussions on:

In addition, Day Two will include four concurrent breakout groups ̶̶ one for each priority area ̶ that will meet to develop the future program of activities for projects and policy. The small breakout groups will be chaired by the Economy Leads.

Day Three will include a brief session of the four concurrent breakout groups to identify key points of information and recommended actions to share with the Education Ministers. The small group sessions will be followed by the concluding plenary session which will include a report-out on the recommendations for future EDNET projects and policy activities, as recommended by the sub-groups.

Feel free to download the Draft Agenda (DOC|PDF).

Ideally, each economy will send teams of no more than six -- their APEC EDNET representative and a specialist in each of the four sub-themes. Symposium participants will be key in developing recommendations to present to APEC's Education Ministers. Participants will discuss the implications of this information for reform in their own economies, as well as the potential for joint activities among APEC members to build on the strengths of specific members in the area.

Registrations close 14 December 2007. Please register through the symposium website: www.ednetsymposium.org.

For registration and local information enquiries, please contact: shenyb@moe.edu.cn

Department of International Cooperation & Exchanges
Ministry of Education
No. 37, Damucang Hutong, Xidan
Beijing 100816
China
Tel: +86 10 6609 7620
Fax: +86 10 66013647
Email: shenyb@moe.edu.cn

Delegates are responsible for arranging their own accommodation directly with hotels and are encouraged to arrange the accommodations as early as possible. Though the Symposium organizers have reserved 120 rooms for the participants, the meeting venue hotel may have limited availability during that time. A list of different room types with their respective special rates for Symposium participants is available in the circular. To be eligible for special rates delegates are asked to advise the hotel of their attendance at the APEC Symposium when booking. Please be aware that all hotels will require a credit card in order to hold reservations (Reservation Form in the circular).

To attend the 2nd APEC Symposium on Education reform, Education to Achieve 21st Century Competencies and Skills for All, you will need an official letter of invitation from the Chinese Ministry of Education. The letter will be provided to you and your Minister of Education once you complete the registration form for the conference.

All participating delegates require a visa to enter and spend time in China. Different entry requirements apply for participants from Hong Kong, China and Chinese Taipei, please consult Mr. Shen Yubiao at shenyb@moe.edu.cn for further information.

Applicants are advised to apply for a visa in advance (2 weeks) of their intended date of travel, if possible.

For information on visa exemptions, please refer to the following link:
http://www.fmprc.gov.cn/chn/lsfw/qzjj/zlbg/t267979.htm

After receiving a participant’s online registration (www.ednetsymposium.org) information, the Chinese MOE will issue a Visa Notice, which can be used to support your visa application.

Please refer to the Symposium Circular for more information.

Xi’an (XIAN YANG) International Airport is about 30 kilometers away from downtown Xi’an.
Delegates are kindly reminded to arrange their own transport from the airport to their hotel. Transport options to downtown Xi’an include shuttle buses and taxis.

We have arranged volunteers for Xi’an Symposium to be present at the airport. Please find and approach these volunteers at APEC marked tables if you have any enquires.

Taxi fare from the airport to venue hotel is around 150 RMB (roughly 20USD). ATM machines will be available at the airport for RMB withdrawal.

Airport shuttle buses depart to Zhong Lou non-stop 24 hours, which meets flight arrival times. The bus fare cost approximately 25RMB to Zhong Lou and then delegates might take a taxi to the venue hotel. Further information is available through service telephone +86 (0)29 8879 1384.

There are direct flights to Xi’an from Seoul, Bangkok, Tokyo, Hong Kong and some other Asian cities. For those without direct flight from your home economy, you might need to make a transfer in Beijing, Shanghai or Hong Kong. All three cities provide frequent flights to Xi’an.

For transfer information from Beijing Capital International Airport, please check:
http://en.bcia.com.cn/
(Recommended! 18 flights from Beijing to Xi’an per day)

For transfer information from Shanghai Pudong International Airport, please check:
http://www.shanghaiairport.com/en/index.jsp
(Please note that there are two airports in Shanghai when making flight arrangements.)
(16 flights from Shanghai Pudong Int’l Airport to Xi’an per day)

For transfer information from Hong Kong International Airport, please check:
http://www.hongkongairport.com/eng/tbu/transit.htm
(4-5 flights from Hong Kong to Xi’an per day)

Registration Desk, Meeting Secretariat, and Delegates’ Lounge
The Meeting Secretariat and Registration Desks will be located on the Conference Foyer A of Shangri-la Golden Flower Hotel Xi’an:

The Registration Desk will be staffed at the following times:

The Symposium Secretariat located in the Tang Room, just opposite the Conference Room, will be staffed at the following times:

The Delegates’ Lounge (IT Working Room) will be located at the Han Room close to the Conference Room and will be equipped with computers (with broadband access), data-points for laptops, printers and photocopiers, and fax facilities.

Prayer Service
Attendees seeking prayer services may request cushions from the hotel reception desk on a first-come-first-serve basis.

Official Photography
The Host Photographer will take group photographs of various committees and working groups. Further details regarding the time and location for the photographs will be provided to delegates by the meeting convener.

Internet Services
Broadband and wireless internet services are available in the guest rooms with charges of RMB50/day. Free internet service sill be available in the Delegates’ Lounge (IT Working Room) of the meeting venue during the conference.

Parking
Car Parking is available free of charge at the outside square of the hotel.

Other Services
The hotel provides a free sports/health club to hotel guests and available restaurants serve cuisine with western and Cantonese flavor. A hotel doctor will be on call 24 hours a day.

Currency and Banking
The Chinese currency is the Chinese Renminbi (RMB, ￥); it is a decimal currency with units in Yuan (￥100, ￥50, ￥20, ￥10, ￥5 and ￥1) denominations and cents (50 cent, 10 cent, 5 cent, 2 cent and 1 cent denominations). For current exchange rates, please refer to: http://www.boc.cn/en/static/index.html

Major foreign currencies and travelers cheques are exchangeable at most hotels, banks. Banking hours are 09:00 – 17:00 from Monday to Sunday. Major credit and international banking cards (Visa, MasterCard) are widely accepted. Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs) are located throughout the city. ATMs will provide currency to foreign cardholders. ATMs are also available in the venue hotel.

Credit cards are accepted at most restaurants and shops, the most widely used being MasterCard, Visa.

Electricity Supply
The standard electricity supply in China is AC 220 volts, 50 HZ. Two-prong plugs and three-pin plugs (with an additional earth pin) are usually found. For an example, refer to the following website:
http://users.pandora.be/worldstandards/electricity.htm#plugs.

Insurance
The Symposium organizers recommend insurance to all travelers, to cover against cancellation, medical and other charges due to unforeseen circumstances. Travel insurance should be purchased in your economy of origin.

Public Transport
Xi’an is regarded as an important communications hub for the western and the eastern parts of China. The city has already developed a modern transportation network incorporating road, railway and air travel.

Generally speaking, foreigners are not encouraged to take the long-distance bus due to general hardship and fatigue. If at all possible, the plane and train are better choices. For more information, please visit www.xian-tourism.com

Retail Hours
With its rapid development, Xi’an is regarded as one of the most important cities in mid-western China. There are many big shopping centers, department stores, supermarkets, mainly centered along Dong Dajie, Nan Dajie and Jiefang Lu. There are many big shopping centers, department stores and supermarkets in and around Xi’an city - the biggest and most comprehensive being Kai Yuan Shopping Mall and Century Ginwa Shopping Mall.

Most stores open Monday to Sunday until around 9.00pm. Banks generally open from 9.30am to 5.00pm Monday to Sunday. Post Offices also operate between 9.00am and 5.00pm, however stamps are often available from hotels.

Smoking
Smoking is prohibited inside all Chinese airports, on all buses, trains and tourist coaches. Smoking is discouraged in most rental cars. Smoking is not allowed in cinemas, theatres, and galleries. The restaurants, cafes, clubs and hotel bars generally allow smoking. Hotels offer smoking and non-smoking rooms. The Meeting venue is a non-smoking venue but a smoking corner shall be available.

Telecommunications
Prior to traveling, delegates should check with their domestic telephone carrier or service provider to find out if they have a roaming agreement with any of the Chinese carriers.

The main mobile networks in China are:

China Mobile: www.chinamobile.com

China Unicom: www.chinaunicom.com

China Netcom: www.chinanetcom.com

Internet and email access is readily available at hotels, internet cafes and libraries.

If a delegates’ mobile phone network is not compatible with China’s network, mobile phones and SIM cards can be purchased from any of the major telecommunication outlets.

In towns and cities, IDD service is provided at all hotels and telecom branches. Phone cards are available in post offices inside hotels or on the street. Even more conveniently, most newsstands in major cities also sell phone cards. Telephone booths in the streets are mostly for local calls.

Tipping
Tipping is not widespread or regulated in China.

Water Quality
The water in Xi’an meets the standards for safe drinking water set by the World Health Organization. However it is not recommended to drink water straight from the tap.e at most hotels, banks. Banking hours are 09:00 – 17:00 from Monday to Sunday. Major credit and international banking cards (Visa, MasterCard) are widely accepted. Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs) are located throughout the city. ATMs will provide currency to foreign cardholders. ATMs are also available in the venue hotel.

Notes & Reservation Policies:

- When checking in, please inform the hotel of the event’s name, (APEC Symposium) and your name to the reception of Hotel.

- Check-in time is normally at 14:00pm & Check-out time is at 12:00 noon; any late check-out or early check-in will depend on the room availability and will be charged accordingly by Hotel.

- Hotel bookings are subject to the hotels' cancellation policies and terms. The organizer is not responsible for any loss suffered herefrom.

- All reservations must be guaranteed by a one-night room rate deposit or by use of major credit cards. For credit cards guarantee, the Hotel/Organizer requires written information to include the name of cardholder as it appears on the card, the card number and card expiry date. All guaranteed reservations cancelled less than 30 days prior to arrival ie after 14 Dec. 2007 will be considered as ''late cancellation'' and will be subject to a one room night charge.

- Non-guaranteed reservation will be held until 16:00pm (local time) of arrival day unless prior room reservation guarantee is made. And for any late arrivals, you are kindly required to INFORM the Hotel in time in order to keep your room.

- If pick-up service is required, please quote guests’ quantity and size of your luggage, so that we could be able to arrange accordingly.

FOR FURTHER QUERIES, PLEASE CONTACT:
Ms Hattie Hu, Assistant Reservations Manager
Phone: +86 29 8323 2981 ext. 4720
Fax: +86 29 8323 2888
E-mail: slx@shangri-la.com

*** You may also download and fax the completed hotel reservation form to Fax No: 86 29 8323 2888

"Education to Achieve 21st Century Competencies and Skills for All: Respecting the Past to Move Toward the Future" is co-sponsored by Ministerio de Educación República del Perú, the Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, and the United States Department of Education on behalf of APEC's Education Network.