The 5th International Polychaete Conference took place in Qingdao, China, from July 1–7, 1995. This long-anticipated event was originally championed by Professor Bao-ling Wu, a leading figure in Chinese polychaetology, whose influence helped bring the conference to China for the first time. Sadly, due to illness, Professor Wu could not attend, though he remained closely involved from his hospital bed. Professor Fu-Shiang Chia stepped in as acting chair, with Dr. Pei-Yuan Qian serving as Secretary GeneralThe conference gathered 130 scientists from 24 countries, plus family members, for a vibrant week of talks, posters, and networking. Held at the Huanghai Hotel, the program included 44 oral presentations and 42 posters spanning systematics, ecology, development, and phylogeny. Field excursions gave attendees the chance to explore the intertidal zones around Qingdao and enjoy a trip to the scenic Laoshan Mountains. The proceedings, published in the Bulletin of Marine Science, included 35 peer-reviewed papers along with tributes to influential scientists such as Meredith Jones and Ralph I. Smith