Rotary Lunch 20 January

Another great speaker: Mr. Francisco Perez-Canado, Minister Counsellor, Head of the Trade Section at the Delegation of the European Union, who spoke about EU China Trade Relations. He did not need any paper… straight from the mouth! Great overview of a complex situation.
Paul Harris Fellowship Award: IPP Ruby presented a Paul Harris Fellowship (PHF) to Rtn Urpo to acknowledge his outstanding contributions to the club.

Thanks to Celine for the pics.
The Rotary Beijing Annual Charity Ball will be on Saturday, May 23, 2015 in Kempinski Hotel. The theme will be “Broadway in Beijing”. See the flyer! Reserve your seat!

If we would turn around the whole discussion on “immigration”…

See here, translated from the Dutch (without changing much), an interesting perspective on the heated discussion about immigration and freedom of religion/expression currently going on in Europe. Received from a Belgian friend.
Pretty well said. I challenge anybody to question or criticize the idea. It is plain logic and reciprocity. And humorous (a word some people do not understand, obviously). Seems politicians fail to understand it either.

Letter from a Belgian citizen on the “Anatomy of the Islamic State”:
I am addressing myself to the Muslims of France, Belgium and Europe.
My family and myself would like to move to Morocco, Algeria or Turkey.
My neighbors and friends, who are close to us, would love to follow us, of course also their family and friends, as well as their friends, and so on.
We would move to your country in large numbers, and as we are all Catholic, churches should be built, streets should be closed to allow our processions (don’t worry, it happens rarely like once a year for Holy Virgin Mary and not like five times a day).
We also want you ban your religious celebrations as those would insult our Christian community.
We also want our children to attend school with the Cross hanging around their neck and we also want to enjoy our ham sandwich at school or at the office.
If that would not be allowed could you indicate the nearest police station where we can report discrimination?
I thank you in advance for your understanding,
Signed: millions of Europeans with or without a religion.

The troll on beijingcream.com has been identified

The webmaster of beijingcream.com got back to me (thanks Anthony!) to apologize for the delayed deletion of the vulgarities of a certain troll, who also tried to impersonate me. For decency I will not repeat the words he used. I guess he must have a PHD in vulgarity, fine-tuned through visits to the “famous” nightclub Maggie’s.
As beijingcream.com spread the troll story all around, many people, including friends, confirmed the identity, as that person has been doing this on several websites and has “built a reputation”.
Happens I knew (?) that fake noble English guy. I still think “his” company Dezan Shira & Associates is doing a pretty good job (I even referred clients to them!). Fortunately for that company (and the rest of the community) he seems to have vanished though his name is still on the website.
The reason for his deep hate against beijingcream.com is pretty obvious, as it had exposed some of his weird stories. He should see a doctor.

Read it all here:
The troll has left!
And
Find the troll!

Enjoy!
Beijingcream has since changed the way comments can be posted. Good move.
Sad to see some expats do not deserve to be welcomed in China.
And the reputation of Beijingcream is restored!

Rotary special New Year dinner on 13 January

On Tuesday evening 13 January, a special dinner in Kempinski, to celebrate New Year, to say thanks to wonderful Benno (who is leaving Beijing) and to say welcome to three new members to the Rotary Club of Beijing, one being sponsored by me, Lucy. Welcome to all!

(pics provided by Lucy, Celine and others)
We had also the Phoenix Quartet, with four nationalities: Montenegro, Poland, Australia and Germany. Nice performance.
For once, a large turnout of members and guests.
See also creativity at work in Kempinski: one of the dishes and artwork in the corridor.