Opening Ceremony: Address by the President. 15th General Meeting, International Mineralogical Association, Beijing, China (1990)

Abstract

His excellency Premier Li Peng, distinguished guests, fellow mineralogists, ladies and gentlemen: It is my pleasant responsibility as President of IMA to welcome participants to this 15th General Meeting, and to thank our Chinese hosts for the years of hard work that they have put into preparation for the Meeting. Special thanks are due to Xie Xiande, Huang Yunhui, and Wang Zejiu, and to other members of the Scientific and Organizing Committees. For some of you, this is a first General Meeting of IMA. Others are old hands who can recount events at Meetings 30 or 40 years ago. Unfortunately, we lack the participation of some individuals and National Mineralogical Societies because they chose to stay away on account of the events that took place a year ago. We are here because we believe in the continued need for international communication in science - in mineralogy, and because we chose to support our Chinese mineralogical colleagues. I am confident that the exchange of ideas during the next few days will be to the benefit of all, and I am sure that new projects and collaborations will develop as a result of activities at this Conference.