On the morning of September 24^th, the opening ceremony of the 7^th International Conference of Eastern-Asia Society for Transportation Studies (EASTS) was held at DMU. The conference was hosted by China’s Communications and Transportation Association (CCTA) and Dalian City Government in collaboration with Dalian Maritime University and Dalian Jiaotong University. Experts and scholars in transportation studies from Asian countries attended the ceremony.

Mr. Wang Derong, executive chairman of the conference and vice-chair of CCTA, delivered the opening speech. Vice-mayor of Dalian City Government Xing Liangzhong attended the ceremony and delivered a speech. He first extended his warmest welcome to all the guests and his congratulations to the conference. He said that the 7^th EASTS Conference in Dalian provides the city a good opportunity for the development of transportation industry. He also hopes that the guests will leave their suggestions on the city development and construction.

Prof. Hitoshi, chair of International Science Committee delivered a brief speech. After that, Director-General Wang Qingyun of Transportation Department, National Development and Reform Committee delivered a speech entitled The Present and Future of China’s transportation Industry. Prof. Kumares C.Sinha from Purdue University, U.S. delivered a speech entitled Are Transportation Studies a Scientific Endeavor? The participants discussed issues regarding transportation and logistics industry in Asia.