My "Regal" Presidents, Fellow Rotarians, Ladies & Gentlemen,

Introduction
1. Thank you all for joining me today on this auspicious occasion.

2. I know that I can speak for many Rotarians in our District that it has always been our intention to undertake a major District project in China ("the Project") that will serve the aim of :
A. providing significant Rotary service that will have an impact on those in genuine need ;
B. advancing the objectives of Rotary in China ;
C. enhancing public relations and the image of Rotary

It is my fervent hope that this Project will have both the scope and the sustainability to make Rotary better known in China, in the same way the Lions achieve prominence via their Sight First project.

3. I am therefore very happy to officially launch our District China project entitled "Hepatitis B Immunization for Newborn Babies".

Background
4. The idea of such a project has been mooted for quite some time. During our annual District visitation last June, both the Ministry of Civil Affairs & The Ministry of Health had given us useful advice, and planning work proceeded immediately afterwards. The District China Committee expressed its full support to the Project when it met in September 2001, and there has been close liaison with the Ministry of Health. My "Regal" Presidents will recall that I have kept you informed during the ensuing Joint Presidents' Meetings, and I am encouraged by the enthusiasm that you have exhibited towards the Project.

5. This Project will be a wonderful opportunity for us to consolidate our effort, labour and hope. It is the culmination of the work of many Rotarians in our District. It will I am sure heighten our District's presence in China, facilitate participation by Rotary clubs all over the world for a truly humanitarian cause, act as a springboard for collaboration with other relevant organisations, and showcase the spirit of "Service Above Self".

Hepatitis B
6. The question is : why Hepatitis B ("Hep B") ? The answer is that Hep B virus infection is highly endemic. Its dire consequence of cirrhosis and liver cancer are health problems of the most serious nature, and its control is vital for a healthy China. The issue is also important to world health as over 1/3 of the world's Hep B carriers are in China. Statistically, of China's population of 1.3 billion, 128 million, i.e. some 10%, are Hep B carriers. An estimated 280,000 persons die each year in China owing to Hep B related diseases. With polio having been completely eradicated in China, the Ministry of Health has placed Hep B prevention and control among its top public health priority.

7. Hep B vaccination plays a key role in prevention, especially in reducing the prevalence of chronic Hep B virus infection. China's goal is to reduce the carrier rate among the general population to 1% after two generations, mainly by means of extensive Hep B vaccination. Considerable work is to be done. Immunization is not, however, provided entirely free of charge. The need to pay for the cost of vaccine, distribution and service fee very often has a negative effect on vaccination coverage which is much lower in th poor and remote provinces.

8. The Project will be using Hep B vaccine commercially available in China. The "all-in" cost for each 3-dose series is in the order of US$3.50. China is working with many international partners for the purpose of Hep B immunization which include WHO, UNICEF, World Bank and GAVI (Global Alliance for Vaccination & Immunization). China, however, is a huge country, and no single agency can do it alone. Our Hep B Project will complement on-going activities. In so doing, we are helping China to fully integrate Hep B vaccination into its Expanded Programme on Immunization. In addition to the Ministry of Health, we are enjoying the staunch support of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, All China Youth Federation & the Chinese Foundation for Hepatitis Prevention and Control. They are, needless to say, excellent partners in service, and a joy to work with.

Goal
9. Our initial goal is to immunize 1 million new born babies within 10 years. This is a noble goal, yet perfectly realistic and achievable. There is, of course, challenge. As I have mentioned in the recent Presidents-Elect Training Seminar, without challenge, there will be no achievement. And whatever we do in life, we give it our very best shot.

10. Site selection for immunization depends on many factors. Naturally, we are avoiding the more affluent coastal provinces. Poverty level, birth rate, population density, immunization rate, availability of international support, accessibility and the organisation of the local partners are all criteria for consideration. Our intention is that after accomplishing our mission for a particular location, and leaving our Rotary legacy behind, we move on to another location. In this way, we can cover many geographical locations.

11. I should like to add that the confidence that I have gathered in embarking on the Project is due in no small measure to the success that the Rotary Club of Queensway has acquired in similar Hep B projects in China. I am grateful to Queensway for sharing their invaluable experience with us.

12. As in any project, fundings are crucial and important. The rate of coverage of the Project depends on the availability of funds. As a start, I like to see every Rotarian in the District making a positive contribution to the Project. I am happy to take the lead. There will be recognition schemes to say "thank you". Additional fund raising initiatives will be introduced as the Project progresses. I also expect local and international communities to join us in this worthwhile endeavour, and we will in due course involve the Rotary Foundation.

District Organisation
13. Much ground work has been done, and we are organising ourselves for the challenges that lie ahead. An independent Foundation for the Project has formally been registered under the Company Ordinance of Hong Kong. Within this umbrella, there will be Trustees as well as Executive Committee and sub-committees to deal with every aspect of the Project ranging from implementation, monitoring, publicity all the way to evaluation, giving ample opportunities for participation by volunteers within and outside Rotary.

14. A Memorandum of Understanding was officially signed between our District and the Ministry of Health in Beijing on 16th April, 2002. I urge you to read the speech given by Dr. Zhang Wen-kang, Minister of Health, on this occasion which is in our website. A strategic workshop was held in Beijing on the same day participated by major stakeholders to share knowledge and understanding, identify key issues and strategies, and discuss initial planning. I led a District delegation to our chosen site at the historic Handan County, Hebei Province, some 300km from Beijing, on 17th April, 2002 to assess project feasibility. We are deeply touched by what we saw. In short, we are now ready to take the giant step forward.

Other Considerations
15. I have earlier used the word " sustainability". To ensure that the Project produces the desired impact, there is a need for it to be on-going for several years. Rotary International has no objection that projects extend beyond one Rotary year - of importance is that the time frame to plan and complete the project is a reasonable one. Centennial Projects proposed in the 2002 International Assembly are to be projects starting this year in readiness for the celebration of Rotary's 100th anniversary in 2005. This literally allows clubs and districts a span of 3 to 4 years for project completion. Both District Governor-Elect Gloria Chan & District Governor Nominee Jones Wong have lent their total support to the Project, and I see no problem with their successors giving similar support in the future.

16. It is my sincere wish that you will leave this meeting with a good understanding of our united endeavour. I will keep in close touch with you. Please convey this Project to your club members, and request that they, do so likewise to their friends and colleagues. The word will spread, and news of the Project will be transformed into an irresistable cascade reaching all levels and corners of our community, and indeed our international community.

Count on You
17. Before I conclude, I should like to thank in particular 2 persons for the trojan effort they have rendered in initiating the Project and seeing to it that it takes shape. Past Presidents Amy Chan of Queensway & Stanley Mok of Hong Kong Sunrise deserve our respect for their visionary and pioneering effort. The work ahead of us is immense. Major committees to tackle the tasks will be led by PDG Moses Cheng & PDG Y.K. Cheng. And it is such outstanding Rotarians and meaningful Project that make our District one of the finest in the family of Rotary International.

18. I am sure you will give your fullest support to making the Project a resounding success, and the prospect of a "Healthy China, Healthy World" a total reality. I know that I can count on all of you. So let us work together to show "Mankind Is Our Business". Thank you.