Yeung Chap Yung, Chow Chun Bong, Lau Yu Lung

In these days of marked proliferation of "infomedics", questions have been raised as to the wisdom of publishing yet another new journal. The Hong Kong Journal of Paediatrics - New Series appears to have joined the "infomedics rush". Our readers might be curious to find good reasons for doing so.

As pointed out in the first issue in April this year, our Journal has now become the official publication jointly of the Hong Kong College of Paediatricians and Hong Kong Paediatric Society. It is vital to ensure that the local statutory body for certifying Paediatric Specialists (The Hong Kong College of Paediatricians) and the long time advocate for local child health (The Hong Kong Paediatric Society) should have an official publication to circulate to their members on various scientific and child health issues especially those relevant to the local situation.

Although a quarter of the world's population are of Chinese origin, there are very few journals related to Chinese Paediatrics and Child Health which are published in English despite the language is the most popularly used in the scientific arena. A scientific English journal such as ours should take part in the dissemination of scientific discoveries and clinical information relevant to Chinese children to the rest of the Paediatric Communities in the world.

Our geographic and political position appears strategically placed at an unusual opening to China. We could play an important role to become a "meeting place" for the East and the West. So long as Hong Kong continues to become one of the two systems within one country, China, the unique position of our Journal can bridge many gaps between China and the West.

In our first issue, readers have already found a number of articles which are particularly relevant for Chinese children. Such issues as thalassaemia syndrome, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, development of intensive care in local centres etc. are well illustrative examples.

In the present issue, we have tried to cover much wider topics to update and assist readers in facing many common child health problems. Common conditions like asthma and epilepsy are examples. We are particularly delighted to have a number of authoritative reviews on some important aspects of childhood infections such as phagocytic disorders, opportunistic infections, infection related cytokines and CMV infection. We are also fortunate to obtain a timely paper on E. coli related haemolytic uraemic syndrome, a condition which has recently erupted in Japan producing some "epidemic scare" around the world.

By soliciting authoritative updates and contributions from various paediatric experts, we hope to arouse and attract more contributions from Hong Kong and from our neighboring countries.

The editors and editorial board will continue to monitor our progress and make various adjustments to improve our publication. Readers will be able to notice some amendments and adjustments in this number. For example, the family names of the authors have assumed a more prominent place and up to three academic or professional qualifications of each author would be included in the paper. We continue to welcome suggestions from the readers to upgrade our production. Hopefully within the not too distant future, our journal will find a significant place in the world of medical literature.