The Ministry of Education (MOE) is to send a group of experts to evaluate the research and management of our center for Southeast Asian Studies on May 13, 2004. The group consists of seven experts from different universities and two officials from MOE in charge of social sciences research. During the on-spot inspection, the Director of the center will give a comprehensive report on the progress and achievement made in the past three years. Heads of the major research programs will also report on their work respectively. The one-day meeting will be of great significance to the future development of the Center.