Thank you for your kind introduction, Mr. Chu.

I'd like to express my sincere gratitude to Mr. Wang Gang, President of both ICA and EASTICA, Mr. Simon Chu of the Public Records Office of Hong Kong, Dr. Hugo Stibbe of the National Archives of Canada, Mrs. Guo Siping of the State Archives Bureau of China, for giving us such an informative and instructive opportunity as this workshop. And I'd like to especially welcome the distinguished visitors, honored guests and fellow colleagues coming here today.

I have been asked to offer a few words of greetings and make some opening remarks in welcoming you to this workshop representing the National Archives' in the EASTICA member countries and territories.

First, I would express my deepest gratitude to all concerned persons of the Public Records Office of Hong Kong, and the Hong Kong Museum of History, the Centre of Asian Studies of the University of Hong Kong and the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, who exerted considerable efforts and made very delicate arrangements, while offering their hospitality, in opening and holding this workshop here.

The National Archives' of the world including the countries and territories in East Asia, are not only responsible for the conservation of the records and archives of the past but are also responsible for the preservation of today's records for future generations.

In undertaking this dual role, the National Archives is performing a very important role as an "Institution for Maintaining the Records of Society".

In addition, we can say that the records and archives and the National Archives are performing two social roles.

The first is as "a link through time" between the people of the past, the present and the future, while the second is as "a link across space" between people and people, countries and countries, and between regions and the world.

In the information age of today, the National Archives has an important growing role to play in recording and preserving today's records into the future. For this, we must overcome several difficulties awaiting solutions. Seven of them may be considered vital issues.

First, the development of an archives conservation and management system,

Second, the development of archives appraisal and selection,

Third, the coordination with the Administrative Information Disclosure Law,

Fourth, the coordination with the Law for Protecting Personal Information Held by Administrative Organs,

Fifth, the standardization of archival practices,

Sixth, the training of people specializing in the research and management of records and archives (that is archivists)

And for the seventh issue, the establishment of the social position and the social recognition of the archivists.

In order for the National Archives' in the countries and territories of East Asia to carry out these important roles, there are high expectations of the role of EASTICA.

Founded in July 1993 in East Asia, one of the cradles of human civilization, EASTICA has, since its establishment, benefited from the excellent leadership of Mr. Wang Gang. Under him, EASTICA has made considerable progress and has become highly respected.

It is natural that this workshop should also be expected to bear fruits as one of important satisfactory results of EASTICA activities.

I would like to take this opportunity to ask for a reaffirmation by the members of EASTICA of their desire to "build on the foundation and to continue their efforts to uphold the regulations set out in EASTICA's constitution and to strengthen cooperation between the members".

Lastly, I wish every success of this workshop and further development of EASTICA for many years to come.

Thank you.