On behalf of the Chinese Institution of Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering (CISMGE), Chinese National Commission on Engineering Geology (CNCEG), and Chinese Society of Rock Mechanics and Engineering (CSRME), we have pleasure in welcoming you to participate in the 10th International Symposium on Landslides and Engineered Slopes to be held in Xi'an in 2008.

With its large and mountainous territory, China is one of the countries in the world with serious landslide and mudflow hazards. The official statistics show that every year nearly 900 people are killed by landslides and mudflow. On the other hand, the large-scale infrastructure construction has raised serious slope stability problems.

Xi'an is a vibrant city providing an unforgettable journey to the past, as well as to the future. The Chinese nation, after 800 years continuous war, was unified in 246 B. C by an Emperor called Qin Shi Huang, who established his capital in this city. As a foreigner, you may first learn about China from the Great Wall which was rebuilt by him. After more than 2100 years burial, his grand tomb sacrifices, made up of thousands of life-size Terra-cotta figures, were discovered. Since the Qin dynasty, Xi'an had been the capital for China's twelve dynasties spanning over 1200 years. We are confident that you will enjoy the innumerous historical and cultural sites of the city.

Today Xi'an is a big industrial and manufacturing center, which plays an important role in China's ambitious west region development programs. Xi'an is featured in its very strong group of universities and research institutions, of which landslide and slope engineering community plays an active part, as Northwest China is a mountainous area with serious slope stability problems. Therefore we are also confident that you will enjoy your stay in this modern and vivid city in an academic point of view.

The Chinese engineers and scientists look forward to the opportunity of exchanging know-how on landslides and engineered slpes with overseas colleagues. We are also eager to extend our hospitality to our international peers. So, please join us in 2008!