A date for your diaries is the 2003 International Camellia Congress (ICS)  sponsored by the International Camellia Society, China Flowers & Plants Association and the government of Jinhua City. Jinhua City is located in the province of Zhejiang (South West of Hangzhou) and is one of the most important areas of the province for the production of ornamentral Nursery-stock. Airports: Shanghai and Hangzhou. The Congress will be a distinguished gathering concerned with camellias but also other ornamental plants. Friends around the world are welcome to attend, even  not a member of the ICS. The event program is as follows: 2-3 March: Pre-Congress Tour.  Route from Shanghai – Suzhou – Qiandao lake – Jinhua.  Cost USD 240.00 p/p, single supplement USD 90.00 p/p.  10-15 March: Post-Congress Tour. Route from Jinhua – Lishui – Wenzhou – Ningbo – Putuo – Shaoxing – Hangzhou. Cost USD 495.00 p/p; Single supplement USD 180.00 p/p. 6-9 March: Congress. 6^th: Ceremony for first day issue of special camellia postage stamps; Registration Jinhua Hotel, Welcome Dinner; 7^th: Opening ceremony and technical reports, visit Chinese Camellia Park and the 4^th Camellia Exhibition of China, the National Exhibition of paintings and photography of camellias. 8^th: Technical reports; visit the international collection of Camellia species and plantation. 9^th: Visit China Small Commodities Market in Yiwu City, tour Shuanglong Cave and a famous temple. Farewell dinner. Total cost (hotel, meals, transportation, gifts) USD440.00 p/p, single supplement USD 72.00 p/p.

Information on optional tours A (7 days) and B (5 days) can be obtained from the China International Travel Service, Jinhua Tel 0086 579 2395558; fax 0086 579 2394809. E-mail: Prof. Gao Ji Yin, E-mail: gaojiyin@fy.hz.zj.cn