Time
The local time in Hong Kong is GMT + 8.

Climate
The weather in Hong Kong in June is warm and sunny with a temperature range of 25°C to 35°C. Humidity near 86%. Please visit the Hong Kong Observatory’s website at http://www.hko.gov.hk for more updated weather condition.

Electricity
Electricity voltage in Hong Kong is 220V. The plug/socket system is a 3-rectangular-pin type.

Currency and Credit Cards
The Hong Kong Dollar (HK$) is the unit currency used in Hong Kong. The official exchange rate of Hong Kong dollar to US is 7.8 (subject to fluctuation). Most foreign currencies and traveller’s cheques can be changed in banks, hotels and moneychangers in the city. Most credit cards are accepted in Hong Kong.

Visa
Hong Kong has a liberal visa policy that allows visa free entries to nationals of more than 170 countries. Those who do require visas should apply at the nearest Chinese Embassy Consulate or Visa Office. When applying for a visa, it is advisable to be at least six weeks in advance. For country-specific visa information, please visit http://www.immd.gov.hk/ehtml/hkvisas.htm.

Language
Chinese and English are the official languages in Hong Kong. All road signs, menus and tourist publications are mostly bilingual. Cantonese is the predominant Chinese dialect widely spoken here while Putonghua has become more popular here nowadays.

Transportation
For the transportation from Hong Kong International Airport to the Conference venue or your hotel, please visit the website http://www.hongkongairport.com. It is easy to travel around in Hong Kong by public transport. Fleets of taxis, buses, trams, harbor ferries, complemented by the reliable service of the Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation (KCRC) and the Mass Transit Railway MTR subway system, enable visitors to explore Hong Kong on their own, safely and conveniently. For details of the routing and fares for KCRC and MTR, please visit http://www.kcrc.com and http://www.mtr.com.hk.

Safety & Security
Hong Kong is considered a very safe city both at night and during the day. As everywhere, however, protect yourself from pickpockets and carry as little cash and valuables as possible. Use a hotel safe-deposit box to store valuables. The Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF) has stations and reporting centers throughout the territory.

Emergency
Dial 999 for the police assistance in case of emergency.

Insurance and Liability
The Conference organizer would not hold any responsibility for any individual, medical, travel or personal insurance. Conference delegates are advised to secure their own insurance as necessary.