During our weekly lunch at the Kempinski on 16 December we had another exceptional speaker.
Indeed, Benjamin is a seasoned journalist with a sharp vision, the North Asia Specialist Correspondent from Thomson Reuters in Beijing.
He gave us his valuable remarks and insights on how the new Chinese top team tries to steer China through a rather difficult period.

Introduction was done by Rtn Joerg, thanks to speaker by Rtn Alan.
Our Club president Piper also briefed us on the latest Club news.
For once I was lucky: there was indeed a December birthday cake! (They often forget about us December Bday people).
It was also exactly Joerg’s birthday. Pictured the tree December lucky fellows: Joerg, Stéphane and myself.

Mr. Jurgen Conrad, the head of the Economic Unit at Asian Development Bank, spoke about “The People’s Republic of China in 2015 and 2030” at our weekly lunch.

See here a short overview of his interesting insight:
China’s high long-term GDP growth has been slowing down from the average of 10% in 1980-2009 to an average 8.3% in 2010-2014.This was mostly caused by structural changes in the Chinese economy. In 2015, economic deceleration and rebalancing will continue, which will cause China’s GDP to continue to stay around 7% to 7.5%. Industry and Investment will keep going down as the government is trying to reduce the industrial overcapacity, lower local government debt and maintain a tighter monetary supply, while service and consumption will grow as the state’s spending on social spending and urbanization will drive the income growth. Past growth drivers of state’s led investment, low-cost advantage, and demographic dividend are becoming less relevant, as China stays on the course of restructuring and encouraging more private investment. Dr Jurgen believes that unless the Chinese government is committed to economic restructuring it will lose this window of opportunity to steer the country to more sustainable growth.
In restructuring the economy, China is facing the challenges of raising its productivity, improving its business climate, reforming its education and continuing the urbanization. Each of these challenges presents a formidable task.

(pics by Celine)

On another note, it was good to hear that the Rotary Bazaar made still quite a nice sum, even if attendance figures were lower than last year. See also the poster of the play “Robin Hood” starting from 5 December, another great exploit of Rotarian Chris Verrill.

Rotaract Beijing cordially invites you to attend the End Polio Now Charity Networking event on Tuesday 28 October from 7pm at Trouble Bar in Sanlitun.
Entrance Fee 100 RMB, includes one drink. Nice drink list at great prices.
Business Cards Guessing: guess how many cards Gilbert has thrown away. Each guess 10 RMB. Several prizes for who comes closest!
Address:
Trouble Bar – China View, 2-101 Gongti Donglu
工体东路2号中国红街大厦2-101号楼
Trouble Bar is next to Gung Ho Pizza, close to Hooters and behind Drei Kronen German restaurant, close to the corner of Gongti Bei Lu / Gongti Dong Lu. About 100 m south of The Den in the same alley.
The bar has an impressive collection of imported beers from around the world and also sells special made bicycles. See some views from the bar.

What is Rotaract? It is the young generation 18-30 in Rotary:
A Global Network of Volunteers dedicated to making a difference;
Community Service Organization that creates positive, lasting change in our communities;
Locally Engaged NGO that collaborates with local volunteer organizations to provide ongoing volunteer opportunities;
Professional Network of 1.2 million neighbors, friends, and community leaders worldwide
Rotaract is all about community engagement and volunteerism. So, if you have any ideas for new long-term or short-term projects and/or any suggestions for partner NGOs in the greater China community, please send an email.
eMail: info@rotaractbeijing.org
Rotaract Beijing www.rotaractbeijing.org

In Beijing the Rotaract Club has members from a large variety of nationalities. Unfortunately the turnover of the mebers is pretty high as many young professionals as well as students spend just a short time here. On 18 October we had another farewell party for Judie, our Rotaractor from Panama. During our dinner in Homeplate (Sanlitun) she also brought many friends from several  Latin American countries. See the pics from our nice evening!

We hope Julie can return one day to Beijing!

On 14 October, the usual Rotary Club of Beijing lunch in Kempinski Hotel.
Speaker of the day: Ian Johnson, who among other things teaches at The Beijing Center for Chinese Studies. He is a Pulitzer Prize-winning author and journalist who focuses on civil society and religion. He lives in Beijing and Berlin (Freie Universität), where he writes and teaches. He is the author of:
A Mosque in Munich – it tells the history of the Islamic Center of Munich, which was founded as a project by U.S. and West German intelligence for a group of Muslims living in Munich. Eventually the Islamic Center of Munich became the first overseas base of the Brotherhood in the West. In a way the story is the precursor to our experiences with the mujahedeen.
Wild Grass – Three stories of ordinary citizens illustrate a “slow-motion revolution from below” that is transforming today’s China.
More, see: http://www.ian-johnson.com/

He spoke on “Beyond Economic Growth: China’s Search For Lasting Values”.
Since the late 19th century, China has embarked on a long journey of seeking balance of creating a modern state and spiritual salvation. Ian walked through this relentless effort by the state as well as society at large in their search for the remedies for the social and economic ills resulting from the turbulent years after the Opium War and the founding of the Republic to the more recent rapid development in the last 30 years. He then focused his talk on the moral vacuum and subsequent surge of religious rejuvenation since the “to get rich is glorious” campaign released by Deng Xiaoping. Today China’s rapid religious popularity serves as the contrast in the backdrop of rapid wealth accumulation, and rampant corruption permeating in every corner of Chinese society. However, the long term effect of this religious revival on the political development remains to be seen. (Report by our Club)

His talk inspired me personally and suddenly gave me a new idea on another book I have to write… When I finally can cool down and find the time.

On 13 October, our weekly Rotaract meeting to discuss about upcoming activities and projects.
Interesting group that came together in The Bookworm (Beijing, Sanlitun): we were 12 with 9 nationalities! USA, France, Panama, Morocco, Poland, Romania, Germany, Turkey and Belgium!

Discussion was lively as usual. The manager of the three Bookworm shops in China is Peter, who is also Rotarian of the Chengdu Club. My book Toxic Capitalism is also being sold in the three shops.