This week, I am embarking on what I’m sure will be an unforgettable experience. At the invitation of the Asian Confederation of Institutes of Internal Auditors (ACIIA), I will be honored to meet with our colleagues at IIA–Chin​a. Known throu​ghout the world for its rich culture and traditions, China’s vast landscape is home to a thriving internal audit profession. It will be exciting to meet with them and see first-hand the incredible success of their national institute, as well as meet with distinguished government officials, business leaders, and regulators.

While on this incredible journey, I will have the privilege to meet with Mr. Wang Dao Cheng, the top elected official with IIA–China; Madame Yi Renping, IIA–China Secretary General; Mr. Cao Zhiyong, IIA–China Deputy Secretary General; Mr. Li Jinhua, Vice Chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Committee, who is Honorary IIA President and former Auditor General of the National Audit Office; and Mr. Dong Dasheng, Deputy Auditor General of the National Audit Office. I will make a presentation to the ACIIA on lessons we’re learning from the current financial crisis. And I’m also looking forward to meeting leaders of the China CFO Association, as well as Dr. Shi Xian, Vice President of Nanjing Audit University, where there is a thriving IIA Internal Audit Education Partnership (IAEP) program. I will have the opportunity to speak with the chief audit executive for China Petro-Chemical Corp., and I will get a sneak preview of the site for the 2015 IIA International Conference in Beijing. Obviously this agenda is packed with several meetings and topics for discussion, and my goal is to provide warm greetings from IIA Global Headquarters and extend our hand in continued partnership and support.

It is inspiring to me that IIA–China, as well as the Chinese government, has continued to move forward with much perseverance despite recent challenges. A devastating earthquake in the Sichuan province last year claimed the lives of more than 68,000 people. This was undoubtedly a disaster that affected many of our fellow practitioners and IIA members in this part of the world. But in the face of this tragedy, this remarkable country pushed through the devastation and went on to share with the rest of the world its dynamic and colorful heritage as it hosted the 2008 Summer Olympics. And with the same tenacity, IIA–China is continuing to elevate the internal audit profession through a variety of different initiatives. From 1998 to 2008, IIA–China has administered more than 200,000 Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) exam parts (about a third of the total exam parts administered worldwide during that period of time). With at least 14,500 internal auditors in China having earned their CIA designation, IIA–China has become one of The IIA’s leading partners in advancing