Dear colleagues and friends,

As the Minister of Science and Technology of China, I am pleased that the Chinese Society of Geodesy, Photogrammetry and Cartography (CSGPC) has been honored to host the XXI Congress of the ISPRS in 2008 in Beijing.

In China, photogrammetry, remote sensing and GIS have been playing more and more important roles in mapping, planning, resources management, disaster monitoring, and environment protection. Especially in the last 20 years, remarkable progress has been made. With the support from the central government of China, the framework of technological innovation and applications of these disciplines has been established.

The Chinese government consistently encourages scientists to take part in and make contributions to the activities of international academic organizations including ISPRS, and to share the achievements and experiences with their international colleagues. As a remote sensing scientist, I highly appreciate the efforts made by the ISPRS on the promotion of scientific research, technical exchange and international collaboration in the fields of photogrammetry, remote sensing and GIS.

I believe that, with the support from the Chinese government and Chinese scientists, and with the collaboration of ISPRS, CSGPC is fully capable of making the XXI Congress of the ISPRS one of the most successful events in the history of ISPRS.

I look forward to meeting you all at the XXI ISPRS Congress in Beijing in 2008.

XU Guanhua
Co-Chairman
National Steering Committee of ISPRS 2008 Beijing
Former Minister of Science and Technology
The People's Republic of China

Dear Colleagues,

On behalf of the State Bureau of Surveying and Mapping (SBSM), the national mapping agency of China, I am honored to invite you to participate in the XXI Congress of the ISPRS in 2008 in Beijing, hosted by the Chinese Society of Geodesy, Photogrammetry and Cartography (CSGPC).

Since the 1980s, especially in the 1990s, China has undergone the analogue to digital transformation in surveying and mapping technology system, with assistance of photogrammetry and remote sensing. Great achievements have been made in the construction of the geo-spatial framework for Digital China and in the development of GIS industry. Geo-spatial information is playing a unique role in the development of social economy and the information society.

I firmly believe that your participation in the XXI Congress of the ISPRS will not only enable you to present the latest developments, to exchange experiences, and to discuss key issues in the field of photogrammetry, remote sensing and GIS, but also offer you an opportunity to gain insight into the professional development in China, to explore cooperative relations with Chinese institutions and professionals, and to find business chances in Beijing and other places in China.

Beijing is an ancient city in one aspect, and new one in others. With a history of about 3,000 years, Beijing was the capital of many dynasties and has numerous historical sites that possess great aesthetic and cultural values. As the capital of new China, Beijing is also a modern city. It has been changing at an unprecedented speed with its environment, transportation, and urban infrastructures becoming better and better on a daily basis. I hope you will come to see Beijing and feel the changes in 2008.

I would like to extend my heartfelt 'Welcome to Beijing' to you all and I look forward to seeing you at the XXI ISPRS Congress.

LU Xinshe
Co-Chairman
National Steering Committee of ISPRS 2008 Beijing
Director General
State Bureau of Surveying and Mapping of China

The four yearly Congress of ISPRS is the most important event in the ISPRS Calendar and offers a wealth of opportunity for anyone using images for measurement and analysis. The Twenty First Congress will be held in Beijing from 3rd to 11th July 2008. The journey from Istanbul in 2004 to Beijing in 2008, following the Silk Road used by traders since 200BC, symbolises the importance to ISPRS of international communication. It also recognises that ISPRS wishes to involve all nations and all cultures in its activities. The Congress was last held in Asia, in Kyoto, Japan, in 1988 and has since been held in Europe and North America. The last Congress in Istanbul started the move to bridge all continents and I hope that after Beijing, the Congress may move to other continents which have not previously hosted this event. The 2008 event is an opportunity for people of all nations to share their experiences with colleagues from around the world.

ISPRS has always had good relationships with other international societies concerned with geo-spatial information. The programme for the Beijing Congress contains a number of aspects which recognize international collaboration and provide an opportunity for inter-society and inter-organisation activity. The Congress will be held during the International Polar Year and the International Year of Planet Earth and these events will be recognized, as well as the important progress of the Group on Earth Observations and the activities of the United Nations Office of Outer Space Affairs.

The Congress will be organised by the State Bureau of Surveying and Mapping in China. Professor Chen Jun from the National Geomatics Center of China is the Congress Director. You will see from the Announcement that Professor Chen Jun and his team plan a first class programme of plenary speakers, technical sessions, exhibition and social programme. I hope that as many people as possible will attend the Congress. ISPRS Sustaining members, and other commercial organisations should be planning for the exhibition and I am sure that this will be a real showcase for state-of-the-art equipment and software, especially from Asian companies.

China has an excellent record of organising such events and I am sure that the XXI Congress will be a Congress to remember. Delegates will be able to catch up with developments in photogrammetry and remote sensing, meet old friends and make new ones, and experience the exciting developments and fascinating culture of China. Please make a date to come to Beijing in 2008. I look forward to seeing you all there.

Ian Dowman
President, ISPRS

Dear colleagues and friends,

It is with great pleasure that I invite you to attend the XXI Congress of the International Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ISPRS) to be held in Beijing from 3rd to 11th July 2008.

The quadrennial ISPRS Congress is one of the most important events in the community of photogrammetry, remote sensing and spatial information sciences. It will be hosted by the Chinese Society of Geodesy, Photogrammetry and Cartography, with the theme 'Silk Road for Information from Imagery'.

The scientific program of the Congress will consist of keynote and plenary sessions featuring distinguished scholars, parallel oral and poster sessions presenting the latest developments in a broad range of topics, a users' forum showing successful solutions and new demands from the professional community, and a commercial exhibition demonstrating state-of-the-art equipment and services. The Congress will be the culmination of four years' work of many researchers, scientists, practitioners and administrators working in the fields covered by ISPRS.

Besides the technical activities, a wide variety of social events will be arranged during the Congress for participants and their accompanying persons to experience the unique Chinese culture. And a selection of pre and post Congress tours will provide participants with the opportunity of seeing Chinese historical relics and natural wonders in both Beijing and other places in China.

It is worth mentioning that ISPRS 2008 Beijing will be held just one month before 2008 Beijing Olympic Games when the city will become the focus of world attention. In 2008 you will see a new Beijing and have lots to explore.

I am confident that we can organize a successful ISPRS Congress and I look forward to meeting you all in 2008 in Beijing.

Sincerely yours,

Prof. CHEN Jun
Congress Director, ISPRS