Rotary Club of Beijing

This is a short summary, for the full Bulletin in PDF, click the following link:
090407_bulletin.pdf

PE Henry led the Four Way Test in both Chinese and English.

Sergeant-at-Arms Gilbert welcomed visiting Rotarians:
- Rtn. Edward Khoo, RC Cheras, Malaysia
- Rtn. Farid Bedwany, RC Calgary Downtown Club, Canada
- Rtn. Helen Boyle, London
- Rtn. Karl Eping, RC Trier, Germany
- Rtn. Raymond Mobrez, RC LA5, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Rtn. Markus Kistler, RC Brugg-Aare-Rhein, Switzerland
And visiting guests:
- Mr. Chiang Jun Der, guest of Rtn. Kevin
- Ms. Priscilla Wong, guest of Rtn. Vicky
- Mr. Mee-Wah Tan, guest of Rtn. Kevin
- Ms. Svante Lindholm, guest of Rtn. Curt
- Mr. Scott Silverman, guest of Rtn. Henry
- Ms. Ulrike Ellmann, guest of Rtn. Gilbert
- Ms. Elaine Huang, guest of Rtn. Kevin
- Mr. Robert Mason, guest of Ms. Helen Boyle
- Mr. Scott Pogoda, guest of Rtn. Nicolas
- Ms. Sabrina Frischmann, guest of Rtn. Nicolas
- Mr. Tao Zhu, guest of Rtn. Arne
- Mr. Stefan Girlich, guest of Rtn. Arne
- Ms. Michaela Stolz-Schmitz, guest of Rtn. Charles
- Mr. Steven Ong, guest of Rtn. Raymond Mobrez
- Mr. Vivek Arora, (Speaker)

Banners were exchanged with the following clubs:
- RC Cheras, Malaysia
- RC Calgary Downtown Club, Canada
- RC LA5, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- RC of Augusta Treverorum, Trier, Germany

Reports & Announcements
Club Secretary, Rtn. John announced that Nancy Liu had joined the Club as the new Administrator. With a degree in English literature and previous experience as Office Manager for a law firm, she is a welcome addition to the team.
Club Treasurer, Rtn. Stefan announced that on April 19th there will be a trip to the Gubeikou School where the Club will make a RMB 15,000 donation. During the visit, there will be a trip to the town of Bulaotun, situated in the mountains behind the Miyun Water Reservoir lake.
Rtn. Curt announced that the 2009 Rotary Ball fast approaching and that he is looking for raffle and auction items. Anyone wishing to donate a prize item, should pass details to him.
Rtn. Christoph made a plea for Rotaract members. He is looking for foreign passport holders, aged between 18-30. Anyone interested should contact him, see also details posted on this website.
President Elect Henry announced that incoming RI President John Kenny is planning to come to Beijing August 12-15th. He will meet with various government officers, Rotary business partners and visit some of our projects. Further details will follow once the visit has been confirmed.
President Kevin announced that because of time pressure, his report on the outcome of last night’s Board meeting will be delayed until next week.

Speaker’s Program
Rtn. Alan introduced today’s speaker, Mr. Vivek Arora, Senior Resident Representative, Beijing for the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Mr. Arora speech was entitled “Global Financial Crisis – China’s Economic Situation”.  Mr. Arora explained that this was his personal view only. He explained that the global financial crisis was affecting both developed and developing countries alike. In China, the impact was showing itself in terms of a slowdown in the economy and the government’s response has been to stimulate public demand to replace the fall in private demand. He expects that a recovery in China could start in the second half of 2009.
Speakers Program Coordinator, Rtn, Charles thanked Mr. Arora for his interesting presentation.