Abstract
There have been many important advances in tokamak research since the 1984 Conference. A number of new devices have been brought into full operation, ranging from JT-60 (an advanced large tokamak from Japan – a country with a well established and mature fusion programme) to HL-1 (a medium sized tokamak from China – a country whose fusion programme has recently embarked on a considerable expansion). Our Chinese colleagues are to be congratulated on having achieved full Ohmic tokamak operation with all the usual features and on providing a useful plasma for future research.