Last week's Proceedings -
7th March, 2007
Last week's Proceedings -
7th March, 2007
Pres. Paul chaired the luncheon and welcomed our frequent visitor, Rtn. Benny Ratnani from RC Hong Kong Northeast. Hon. Secretary Andy had his birthday celebration this week and the song leader was Dir. Norman Lee.
Pres. Paul reported a few reminder items:
- There will be a community project "Reach out for kids", for toys collection at Rotary Information Centre in Causeway Bay prior to 9th March .
- Our daughter club, RC Harbour plans to have a mother club visit on 4th April (Wednesday) to join our Excelsior hotel luncheon.
- PP Dinner (re-union) gathering to be organized on 9th March (Friday) evening at the HK Medicine Academy.
Acting SAA was PDG Uncle Peter and the red box collection was HK$800, with contribution from PDG YK, PP Tim, HS Andy, Rtn Eric, Rtn Peter, Rtn Herman, and PP Rudy and Pres. Paul.
Rtn Tony invited both PP Tim & PP JL to be speaker and addressed us on the HKSAR Chief Executive election and their publicized agenda to boost the HK economy and competitiveness.
PP John Luk first started the forum type of discussion:
- Apparently, both Donald Tsang & Alan Leong were concerned about the HK competitiveness in the global market place.
- HK future competitiveness was said to be resting upon four "pillar industries" - finance, tourism, logistics, and business support services; during Tung's era.
Comments and personal views from our members to the four industry pillars were such as:
- PP JL had question on HK competitiveness for high-tech industry; giving the lack of R&D research (without the kind of military & pure research support from those developing countries, or even when compared to China). PP JL's view was echoed by Rtn Kishu's comment on the limited land supply and people resources (number of graduates) constraints for nurturing the high tech industries in HK.
- Regarding the logistics industry competitiveness, PP JL also had concerns on neighboring China cities such as Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen in their continuous upgrading of container ports and airport facilities to attract inland export, and driving direct competition to Hong Kong's re-export businesses.
- PP Tim commented on the competitiveness of HK being "financial and commercial centre", and the likelihood of the next HKSAR Chief Executive to focus a lot more on developing and facilitating the Service Industries (banking, investment, and other professional services) to support the active financial and commercial markets in Hong Kong. [the fact that Hong Kong surged past New York in 2006 and became the world's second most popular place - after London - for companies (mostly from Chinese corp's A-shares) to float new stock listings.]
- PP Tim also commented on the HK tourism industry which might probably need much more public support and government funding to stimulate more attractions to both international and Chinese tourists.
Nevertheless, PP Tim was asked to express his personal view about the March 25, 2007 (Sunday) Election Committee round-up:
- That the HKSAR Chief Executive election is from a small representative group (about 800 people) and the result may therefore be more predictable.
- Looking forward, the real surprises might be more with 2008 Legco election and the 2012 Chief Executive election; as the pan-democratic candidates demonstrated a well organized team, and with right messages such as "election with a choice". [Pro-democracy candidates had recorded a strong showing in the Election Committee sub-sector polls in 2006. Of the 137 candidates fielded by the pan-democratic camp, around 110 have secured seats.]
Finally, there was a mock-up vote count on the next CE election, (the two speakers were exempted) and the result was 10 votes on Tsang; and zero vote on Leong; and Rtn Kishu was the only one to abstain.
Pres. Paul thanked both PP Tim and PP JL as our insightful speakers, and the meeting was timely adjourned, with a toast to RI coupled with RC of Hong Kong Northeast.
The members and guest were invited to have a group photo.
Rotary Information(1) Chartering a New Rotary Club
A new club by the name of Rotary Club of Taipa in Macau (SAR) will be added in district 3450 as from 23rd March 2007. Its Charter Evening will be held at Macau Tower Convention & Entertainment Centre, Level 4, Grand Hall 2, Macau, when DG Tony will present the Charter to Charter President Rocky Chung.. Rotarians and spouses are cordially invited to participate.
(2) 2007 Kuala Lumpur Rotary Institute
The Rotary Zone Institute for Zone 4B, 6B and 7B will be held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from 28th November to 2nd December. 2007 convened by RI Director Noraseth Pathamand as per the following schedule :
Pre-Institute Governors-elect Training Seminar.......................Nov.28th – 29th, 2007
Pre-Institute District Trainer Training Seminar.........................Nov. 29th, 2007
Pre-Institute Regional Rotary Foundation Seminar................. Nov. 03th, 2007
Pre-Institute Golf Fellowship ................................................ Nov. 30th, 2007
Rotary Institute .................................................................... Nov. 30th & Dec. 2nd,2007For early planning, Registration form may be obtained from the district Governor or PDG Peter Hall.
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Electronic Make-up Questions
JokesSupermarket
The man approached a very beautiful woman in a large supermarket and asked,
"You know, I've lost my wife here in the supermarket. Can you talk to me for a couple of minutes?"
"Why?" she asks.
"Because every time I talk to a a beautiful woman, my wife appears out of nowhere."
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A sudden change of mind
My Dearest Susan,
Sweetie of my heart. I've been so desolate ever since I broke off our engagement. Simply devastated.
Won't you please consider coming back to me? You hold a place in my heart no other woman can fill.
I can never marry another woman quite like you. I need you so much.
Won't you forgive me and let us make a new beginning?
I love you so.
Yours always and truly,
John
P.S. Congratulations on you winning the state lottery.
on
7th March, 2007
