你好、Good morning, Ladies and Gentlemen, and distinguished guests,
 
    On behalf of the member colleagues and as a chairman of the PTCOG, I would like to express my sincere appreciation to Govenor Huang, Mayor Zhou, President Qi, President Sun, and Dr Li and their colleagues for organizing this meeting at the ZiBo Wanjie Hospital Proton Therapy Center. I would also like to extend many thanks to all of the participants getting together to attend this meeting.

    The 46th PTCOG meeting is going to be held for the next 3 days, followed by the educational workshop.  As you know, the PTCOG is a non-profit oriented association. It has as its objectives to promote global research activities in particle beam therapy and to support the organization of dedicated scientific meetings in this field. The association shall carry out all such activities as are necessary or convenient to serve and accomplish these objectives. This is declared in the Statutes of this association, which is just drafted and  will be adopted during this meeting. In this sense, this 46th meeting hosted by the Wanjie Cancer Therapy Center would become a memorable meeting, being a birthplace of our new association. 

    In recent years, increasing evidence has been accumulated to demonstrate that hadrontherapy with protons and carbon ions has the potential of increasing the local control  and survival in various types of tumours. These particles allow a unique property in terms of delivering a high dose to the target while sparing the surrounding normal tissues. In the case of carbon ions, there is also an additional benefit due to their radiobiological features.

    I believe that a large number of radiation oncologists, medical physicists and many other cancer specialists will have a benefit from this meeting in terms of exchanging ideas and information on indication and application of charged particle therapy. The major goal of this meeting is to consolidate collaboration among participants in teaching, research and clinical activities.

    At this meeting, comprehensive presentations will be given as well as  the update status of new projects worldwide. I believe this will be of big help for all of you attending this meeting. Zibo is a pleasant place surrounded by a beautiful natural environment.

    Again, I congratulate such a nice organization of this meeting by the local organizing committee.

    Thank you