The first day of the inaugural IUFRO Regional Congress for Asia and Oceania 2016 in Beijing was brought to a close by a welcome cocktail reception for delegates. FABI Director Prof. Mike Wingfield in his capacity as IUFRO President was one of a number of dignitaries that welcomed guests to this the biggest IUFRO regional conference to date. Guests were then treated to breath-taking performances by leading Chinese cultural performers, dancers and a magician who had everyone scratching their heads as he preformed an array of conjuring tricks.