On behalf of the Organizing Committee of the CIT and Chinese Society of Cardiology, I would like to welcome you all to the China Interventional Therapeutics (CIT) 2005 in conjunction with TCT @ CIT to be held on March 31 - April 3, 2005 in Beijing, China.

The CIT is organized by Chinese Society of Cardiology, Chinese Medical Association, sponsored by Division of Medicine and Health Engineering, Chinese Academy of Engineering, Asian-Pacific Society of Interventional Cardiology, Kamakura Live Demonstration Course, Japan, Hong Kong College of Cardiology, Chinese Journal of Cardiology, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Hong Kong, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Shenyang Northern Hospital and Cardiovascular Institute & Fu Wai Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, China.

The Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics (TCT) will organize a program in conjunction with CIT - TCT @ CIT on April 1, 2005. Dr. Leon, Dr. Stone and Dr. Mintz will come to Beijing to chair the meeting, to deliver important keynote lectures and to moderate the live case transmission from Columbia University Medical Center, New York, USA.

The scientific program of CIT 2005 will be of an extremely high standard. Many internationally well-known invited speakers will provide state-of-the-art lectures, updates and reviews on recent advances in every important field of interventional cardiology. The Congress will also provide live case broadcast from Kamakura General Hospital, Japan, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Hong Kong, Shenyang Northern Hospital, Beijing An Zhen Hospital and Cardiovascular Institute & Fu Wai Hospital, China.

Besides lectures and live demonstration, the Congress will consist of 20 workshops and 4 concurrent sessions. The contents involved not only coronary interventions, but also interventions for congenital heart disease, peripheral vascular disease, valvular disease and arrhythmias. We are expecting 1500 experts, cardiologists and industry leaders to attend the Congress. Participants will have the opportunity to share scientific information and the latest advances, to exchange expertise in the field of interventional cardiology, to renew our friendship and increase worldwide collaboration. The congress will also provide a unique opportunity for the companies to exhibit their new products and to contact with the cardiologists more closely.

Beijing is a highly civilized and ancient city rich in historical sites and full of cultural events. The city is also an international metropolis with modern and efficient tourist systems. I hope all the delegates will not only have a successful and productive congress, but also have a good time to enjoy the traditional Chinese hospitality, and to enhance the international partnership.

I believe your participation and contribution to the congress will be highly important to its success.

I look forward to welcoming you to Beijing.