[Editor's Note for the week: Due to your absent-minded editor last week, I lost my scratch writing note on the bulletin. In addition, my delay has caused about 35 - 50 active reader of our web site over the weekend and Monday w/o an update. Other web news: many updates check out other pages.]

President Nick welcomed us all to our dinner meeting at HKCC. He brought in a few Rotary flags from Europe from our previous visiting Rotarians.

Announcement:

April 28th: Popular fellowship events - Horse Race Night at Happy Valley.

Dear Rotarians: your appointment in May is fully booked as follow: or check our page - Club Calendar.

May 7th: Our ever-popular BA playhouse is back. Private Lives.

Both events still have some space, but they usually are booked up before last week.

May 8th: Our mother club Island East is hosting dinner at Hotel Miramar.

May 21st: Annual Ball at the Hong Kong Country Club.

June 13th-16th: Singapore events. There are 120+ HK Rotarians attending. There are more than a few from our club attending. Please contact Deborah or President Nick.

June 24th: HANDOVER

Birthday Boys Rtn. Patricio and Rtn. Simon received their gifts. But IPP Tom got the pleasure to sing the song twice. But more trouble for IPP Tom later too.

SPEAKER:

President Nick introduced our speakers Dr. Bruno Wu on the topic "Communication in China." Born in Shanghai, he had worked at ATV responsible for a major job cut and AC Nielsen for their HK/China development. Dr. Wu cited many facts gave us an accurate picture of the media coverage in China. I lost my notes so that's another good reason to attend meeting yourself.

Chinese government networks divided into 3 tiers: Central, Provincial, and Cities'. Central is the CCTV, which we can get in HK. Each province and many cities have their own channels so the total government stations is in excess of 1000. In addition, Chinese Education TV has the same 3-tier system: Central, Provincial, and Cites. Dr. Wu emphasized that while there are many channels, people still want more content. Furthermore, cable TV is now available in major cities. Surprisingly to myself twice now, Chinese government, like Canada, considers cable TV as basic living requirement [Ed's note: Since I have never owned cable TV in either countries, I wish both countries use cable registration to classify my tax rate. ITV is tempting though.] Monthly service is very cheap in China.

Similarly, China also has one of highest potential TV growth rate. 80%+ are color TV. Dr. Wu further explained that Chinese market is hungry for entertainment content. The biggest demand is possibly H.K. movies. When a movie opened in HK, pirate copies would be available in Shanghai in less than 24 hours, as fast as Federal Express. Dr. Wu further mentioned that Internet would be popular but limited by its high cost entry barrier of owning a PC. So he suggested a cost-effective black box which turned a TV into an internet web browser could be the solution, citing HK Telecom iTV a possible flaw strategy. That attracted some laughed & very loud cough from IPP Tom.

After lengthy Q& A, IPP Tom has the pleasure and trouble to thanked Dr. Wu.

Club 888 draw

President Nick asked Rtnne Joan Sheppard to draw the Club 888. Our president surprised me while I was writing that he wanted my list of 888 prizes. The numbers are as followed:

Prize Ticket No. Ticket holder Sold by:

1. Philips mini hi-fi system 76 George Li George Li

2. 1 pair Church shoes 221 Kenneth Pang Bob Wilson

3. Lee brand jeans & accessories 57 Pravincha Mehta Fali Shroff

4. Crystal Vase 283 Chan Ding Yin Dennis Ting

5. Philips CD walkman 126 Agnes Ting A nice guy.

6. Dinner for 2 at Wild Orchids Bar 229 Great Wall Progress Ltd. Paul Young

Internet Tip of the week: Never, never put your digital camera on a chair especially while Club President was calling you by surprise.