Pres. Henry opened the meeting by asking PE Rudy to introduce the visitors. PE Rudy introduced PP Tony Price (Amesbury, UK), who visited us three years ago. He even kept the Tung Feng bulletin that contained his picture. PE Rudy next introduced PP Edward Wong (Queenstown, Singapore). We also have several guests; the first is our speaker Mr. T.K. Lai who was introduced formally later & his colleague Mr. M.P. Chan. The remaining two guests were none other then PE Rudy's wife Eileen & her friend Mrs. Anna Wong.

Pres. Henry then welcome back Rtn. Alex from Chiangmei, Thailand & PP Hubert from Guangzhou. We also celebrated the birthday of PP Hubert who picked Eileen to lead his birthday song.

PP Stephen then came forward to make his reports. His first report was that the Sergeant-at-arms collections came to $1,200 that included the birthday boys Hubert's contribution & also PP John's advertising penalty for giving out Wing On Calendars.

His second report was on the RI Convention in Osaka. So far 11 members signed up which include several wives making a total of 15 persons. The price for the trip will be between $4,800 to $7,000 depending on whether you would like to include the RI Convention and also joining the Anniversary celebration of Osaka Jonan. He asked those who want to join to let him or Dir. Laurence know so arrangements could be made. We have booked several rooms at the Miyako Hotel in Osaka . The deadline for signing up is 29th December.

Hon. Sec Eddy then announced that next Wednesday would be our AGM. We need at least one third of our members present to have a quorum for the election. He asked all members to make a note in their diary to attend this very important meeting.

Pres. Henry then announced that 2005 would be the Centennial Celebration of Rotary. With respect to this Rotary International would arrange the Centennial Bell to visit our district. Our mother club, the Rotary Club of Hong Kong is in charge of the arrival of the Bell. Further information would be released later.

Then we came to the highlight of the meeting. PP Tim introduced our guest speaker Mr. T.K. Lai who is the Director of the Immigration Dept of the Hong Kong SAR who spoke to us about the new ID card-The Smart Card.

Mr. Lai told us that our government has started to issue to us a new ID card. He told us what is special about this new ID Card.

1) It is small - the same size as a standard credit card.
2) It is more durable.
3) It can store more information on the chip that is imbedded in the card.
4) It is very difficult to forge

He told us that our existing ID cards have been in use since 1985, more then 15 years old. It is issued to all legal residents of Hong Kong. It has been credited to stemming the tide if illegal immigrants to Hong Kong. Recently these low-tech cards have been forged more and more. Therefore the government started to investigate a new Card in1999. They then decided to issue a new Smart Card in 2000.

This new card will serve as an ID Card but in a more secured form. A thumbprint of the holder is stored on the card so that should the need arise to authenticate the cardholder's identity; this can be done. This will serve as a deterrent for fake ID Cards.

This Smart Card will ultimately be use as an automated clearing for immigration purposes that will be started in early 2004.

There are other non-immigration uses for this card:

1) As a driver's license
2) As a library card
3) As an Electronic Transfer of Funds.

The security of this card is very extensive. The data is encrypted into the card and cannot be copied because of the printing technologies used such as rainbow printing, micro-printing & multi-color printing, etc. However, only minimal information is stored on the card. Full data storage is done in the back end computer system. These information are not shared by other departments.

How are these cards issued-All legal residents will be issued with the new Smart Card in an orderly manner by age. Starting with those who were born in certain years first. The new cards will be in your hands in 10 days after you have applied for the card whereas previously you must wait 15 days. This whole process will take about 4 years.

Mr. Lai kindly accepted to answer questions from our member. Some unique questions came out.

a) Dr. Tony asked what to do if one loses both thumbs. Ans. He will have no thumbprint imbedded in his card. We will rely on other techniques to take care of this problem.
b) PP George was concerned that the middle passenger in the back seat will sneak through undetected. Ans: More CCD scanners will be employed
c) Rtn. Jason asked the relation of SARS detection with the Smart Card. Ans: SARS detection will be in addition to the identity of the person.
d) PP Stephen was concerned with the high throughput at our border checkpoints. Ans: More checkpoints will be added.
e) VP Robert asked why there are two checkpoints at our borders one for the Chinese side and the other for SAR side. Ans: None but we must wait for further developments.
f) Rtn. Kishu asked when will a non-Chinese resident be the same as a Chinese resident. Ans: Never, unless you become a Chinese resident.

Pres. Henry then asked PP Hubert to give a vote of thanks to the speaker. He very humorously suggested that our ID Cards would ultimately be imbedded under our skin such as done with VP Robert's dog.

Lastly, PDG Peter revealed that a new Presidential Insignia has been made and placed it around Pres. Henry's neck.

Then Pres. Henry closed the meeting by making a toast to Rotary International coupled with the names of the Rotary Clubs of Amesbury, UK & Queenstown, Singapore.

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Joke & Cartoon

Hillary Clinton goes to a primary school in New York to talk about the world. After her talk she offers question time. One little boy puts up his hand, and the Senator asks him what his name is.

"Kenneth."

"And what is your question, Kenneth?". "I have three questions: First - whatever happened to your medical health care plan? Second - why would you run for President after your husband shamed the office? And third - whatever happened to all those things you took when you left the White House?"

Just then the bell rings for recess. Hillary Clinton informs the kiddies that they will continue after recess. When they resume Hillary says , "Okay where were we? Oh, that's right, question time. Who has a question?".

A different little boy puts his hand up; Hillary points him out and asks him what his name is.

"Larry."

"And what is your question?"

"I have five questions: First - whatever happened to your medical health care plan? Second - why would you run for President after your husband shamed the office? Third - whatever happened to all those things you took when you left the White House? Fourth - why did the recess bell go off 20 minutes early? And fifth - what happened to Kenneth?"

 

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Photographs of the Meeting
on
10th December, 2003

The speaker for today was Mr. T.K. Lai who is the Director of the Immigration of the Hong Kong SAR Who spoke to us about the new ID card -- The Smart Card.

(L to R) PDG Uncle Peter, guest speaker Mr. T.K. Lai ,& Pres. Henry.

Hon Sec. Eddy, PP Tony Price (Amesbury, UK) & PP Edward Wong (Queenstown, Singapore)

Rtnanne Eileen leading the birthday song for PP Hubert while Pres. Henry give him his birthday present.

PDG Uncle Peter putting the new President's badge on Pres.Henry but only on backwards at first.

Now it is on correctly as PDG Uncle Peter shakes the hand of Pres. Henry looking very happy with his new shinny President's badge.

(L to R) Guest of PE Rudy, Mrs. Anna Wong, Rtnanne Eileen, Mr. M. P. Chan, PP John IV & PE Rudy..

(L to R) VP Robert, PP Stephen, Rtn Sam, PP's Hubert, George, & Rtn Alex.

Rtn Dr. Stephen, Dr. Tony, Dir Jason, & PP Tim.

Group Photo of PDG Uncle Peter, Pres. Henry, guest speaker, visiting Rotarians & Members on the 10th December, 2003.

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