Social Events

The XXVIII General Assembly’s social programme will provide you with many networking opportunities, allowing you to meet with old and new friends, and experience China’s fascinating culture in the city of Beijing.

Please see below for an overview of the scheduled social events. Additional events may be added with the finalisation of the official social programme. Places are limited therefore you are advised to purchase tickets as soon as possible through the online registration form. For events included in your registration fee, no online pre-registration is required. For optional tours, please refer to the tour section of this website.

1. Inaugural Ceremony

• Tuesday, 21 August  14:00 - 15:30
• Price: included in the registration fee
• China National Convention Center, plenary session room
  

Join us for the official opening of the XXVIII General Assembly in the main plenary room, followed by the First Session of the General Assembly.

2. Welcome Reception

• Tuesday, 21 August  18:00 - 19:00
• Price: included in the registration fee
• China National Convention Center, exhibition area
  

The welcome reception will be hosted following the first session in the exhibition area. All registered participants and accompanying guests are warmly invited to attend. 

3. General Assembly Banquet

• Thursday, 23 August 19:00 – 23:00
• Price: 550 RMB per person
• Venue to be announced, departure from China National Convention Center, main entrance
  

The official banquet will be celebrated on the date of the Qixi Festival, which falls on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month on the Chinese calendar. In late summer, the stars Altair and Vega are high in the night sky, and the Chinese tell an incredible love story during Qixi Festival:

A young cowherd (Niulang) came across a beautiful girl, the seventh daughter of the Goddess (Zhinü), who just had escaped from boring heaven to look for fun. Zhinü soon fell in love with Niulang, and they got married without the knowledge of the Goddess. The Goddess of Heaven was furious to find out that Zhinü had married a mere mortal and ordered Zhinü to return to heaven. On Earth, Niulang was very upset that his wife had disappeared. Suddenly, his ox began to talk, telling him that if he killed it and put on its hide, he would be able to go up to Heaven to find his wife. Crying bitterly, he killed the ox, put on the skin, and carried his two beloved children off to Heaven to find Zhinü. The Goddess discovered this and was very angry. Taking out her hairpin, the Goddess scratched a wide river in the sky to separate the two lovers forever, thus forming the Milky Way between Altair and Vega.

The official banquet will be a great evening celebrating this story.

4. Closing Ceremony  

• Thursday, 30 August 16:00 - 18:00
• Price: included in the registration fee
• China National Convention Center, plenary session room
  

Join us for the official closing of the XXVIII General Assembly in the main plenary room.