General information

Location
Hong Kong is situated on the southeast coast of China at the mouth of the Pearl River facing the South China Sea. Covering an area of 1,104 square kilometres (425 square miles), the territory is made up of Hong Kong Island, the Kowloon Peninsula and the New Territories. At the core is Victoria Harbour, which separates Hong Kong Island from Kowloon and beyond that, the New Territories that runs up to the boundary with Mainland China. As well as making up the bulk of Hong Kong's land mass, the New Territories also incorporates 262 outlying islands, including Lantau where the airport is located.

Venue
The Conference on Frontiers in Systems Biology II will take place at the Lam Woo International Conference Center (NAB & WLB) of Hong Kong Baptist University. The NAB & WLB is located at Renfrew Road, Kowloon Tong. For further information on the venue please visit: NAB & WLB transportation

Weather
Hong Kong's climate is sub-tropical, tending towards temperate for nearly half the year. During November and December there are pleasant breezes, plenty of sunshine and comfortable temperatures. Many people regard these as the best months of the year. It is not uncommon for temperatures to drop below 10 degree in urban areas. The lowest temperature recorded at the Observatory is 0 degree , although sub-zero temperatures and frost occur at times on high ground and in the New Territories.

Time Zone
Hong Kong is in Asia; Hong Kong became the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) of China on 1 July 1997; Standard Time is 8 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT+8).

Smoking policy
With the smoking ban implemented in Hong Kong in September 2009 smoking is no longer allowed in the majority of enclosed public places and on public transport to protect people from the harmful effects of passive smoking. Certain hotels may allow their guests to smoke in designated smoking rooms.

Electricity
The Electricity in the Hong Kong is 220-240V/50Hz and accommodates a 13 amp plug with 3 rectangular pins which are different from common European plugs. Adaptors can be purchased in the major electrical shops.

Language
The official language of conference 2011 is English. No simultaneous interpretation will be provided.