to broaden Asia-Pacific membership base.

The Asian Section of Federacion Canina Internacional FCI Spain), the largest and most prestigious purebred dog registering club in the world, has laid the groundwork in its bid to broaden its membership base in the Asia Pacific continent. During its 2nd Plenary Conference held March 15, 2010 in Guangzhou, China, the Asian Section led by the Asian Kennel Club Union of the Philippines, Inc. (AKCUPI) had representatives from the Kennel Union of China (KUC), Sarawak Kennel Association (SKA), East Malaysia Dog Owners Association (EMDOA), Kennel Club of Myanmar (KCM), Korean Kennel Club (KKC), Kennel Club of Japan (KCJ), AKCUPI and Kennel Club Union of Asia (KCUA) close ranks and exchange views and experiences of their respective clubs as inputs to the two-year development program presented by Henry G. Babiera, president of FCI Asian Section and concurrent Chairman/President of AKCUPI.

The conference enlightened the delegates about the background of FCI. The development program outlines the action plans of the Asian section. These are: increase the number of FCI roster of membership to cover the whole Asia-Pacific continent; undertake massive/intensive information campaign on FCI (Spain), its objectives, mission and vision through regular communication within the Asia-Pacific basin; recognize, invite, upgrade and encourage exchange of information regarding FCI (Spain) and member-countries’ roster of dog show judges; sign a memorandum of reciprocal agreement among member-countries regarding acceptance, recognition of pedigrees and championship points earned by each dog through legitimate dog show competition under the auspices of FCI Spain member-countries; and undertake annual FCI member-countries Asian Section Conference on a rotating basis.

During the conference, the KCM, KUC, and SKA were awarded their certificates of full membership with the FCI Asian Section by its President Henry G. Babiera. On hand to receive the certificates were Ryan Liao (KCM), Mark Mai, Dominic Wong, Tony Wong (KUC), Johnson Jong, Frederick Bong, and Victor Bong (SKA). The other delegates were: John Irvin Uy, and Penny Cham (AKCUPI); William Chang (EMDA); Korean Kennel Club (KKC); Chihiro Oshima (KCJ); and Lan Cheng Fong (KCUA). Dr. Jose Alberto Felix Fernandez, president of FCI (Spain) graced the conference.

The conference was preceded by a dog show held March 13 and 14, 2010.