Roots and Shoots

Posted on by Gilbert Van Kerckhove

Our Tuesday lunch

During the lunch of Tuesday 18 August the Rotary Club of Beijing had the pleasure to learn more about the work of the world-famous environmental NGO, Roots & Shoots, their plans for the future and how Rotarians can get involved.
It was a very interesting speech on environmental issues and in addition it is in full accordance with the latest area of focus of Rotary International.

Rotarians and guests were introduced to the inspiration behind Roots and Shoots – Dr. Jane Goodall’s studies on the chimpanzees of Tanzania – and the importance of generating interest, passion and knowledge amongst the world’s youths to protect and improve our environment.

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The Roots and Shoots organization, while highly successful in the long-term, faces short-term challenges in organizing events and undertaking projects due to multiple COVID-19 related restrictions.
The speakers were Issy Dickson and Leia Qianlei from Beijing Roots & Shoots.

In 1994, world renowned primatologist and conservationist Dr. Jane Goodall established the first Roots & Shoots group in China in order to build on her vision of placing power and responsibility for creating solutions for big challenges in the hands of young people.
Roots & Shoots has now more than 25,000 members across every province, municipality and autonomous region in Mainland China, all of whom uphold our three pillars of helping people, animals and the environment. Currently more than ever, protecting the planet and all who live on it is absolutely crucial.
In the words of Dr. Jane Goodall, “Every individual matters, every individual has a role to play, every individual can make a difference.”

Rotary Club of Beijing Welcomes Two New Members

The Rotary Club of Beijing heartily welcomed two new members to its ranks during the lunch at the Kempinski Hotel. New Rotarians, Christine and Ben were inducted into the club after Club President Danny read the responsibilities of Rotary Club members. They also received their official Rotary International pin. The new members helped to read the Four-Way Test.

Gongti strip to disappear

Posted on by Gilbert Van Kerckhove

The verdict

I knew this was coming through my contacts: the gongti strip to disappear, along with all bars, discos, restaurants and shops in the Worker’s Stadium area. I called it the “gongti strip” as we have the Las Vegas Strip. At night the street becomes total chaos with cars blocking each other, girls in mini miniskirts, a procession of the most expensive cars. Traffic police permanently on holiday.
It is planned all will disappear by the end of the year, including Legend Beer.
See:
https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/vxjW_OXK7Fwmx_NHFOnOdg

Construction crews already set up their quarters and they have started work.

Memories

So many famous locations of the Beijing nightlife:
VICS, MIX, Tubestation, Club Sirteen, Bellagio, Heaven Supermarket, Lantern, Elements, KTVs, name it.
See some here as they are still in place, also a few of the many venues inside the stadium area.

Some historical facts of the area:
Gongti Turns 60: A Look Back at the Stadium’s Moments in History
theBeijinger 4 August 2020
https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/ddiOU98_p4BCzig_cdvk7Q

However there is a mistake in the overview. The first concert was not at all in 1999. One of the first I actually attended myself in 1985, the performance by Wham! (George Michael), the first Western band to perform in China as the country began to open up after the Cultural Revolution, an hour-long concert for 15.000 people.
See:
https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education-community/article/2057286/george-michael-china-how-singer-made-it-over

See an overview of the articles: 200803 endofera

Sterile city

It is supposed to be to be a major renovation of the Worker’s Stadium and the surrounding area, and as far as I understand also to build a new subway station. I am afraid it will be a sterile and funless new gongti.

The former “Gongti Yibai”, the formerly biggest indoor bowling area in the world (100 lanes) has been transformed over the years in a huge complex of discos, KTV and more.
With all the government much criticized clampdown on “illegal structures”, leading to massive destruction of shops, restaurants and bars, the government never dared to touch the KTV and other who simply took over the huge underground parking, to build their venues. License? You bet. I guess some got very well rewarded for ignoring this “illegal construction”. I dare anyone to show me the legal go-ahead!

Many nice bars and cafes have been closed in the hutongs and in Sanlitun. It seems some are coming back as new discos, even now they are filled to capacity with a massive dancing crowd. And that during “COVID time”. Social distancing? Hahahaha. Even Club Sirteen on the Gongti Strip is still full blast in the night. Well, for the time being. (click to view the video clip)

200808 sirteen

Sometimes one cannot understand how the Beijing government works.

Rotarians meet in Beijing

Posted on by Gilbert Van Kerckhove

Informal meetings

After months of restrictions due to the virus, Rotarians meet in Beijing again for informal meetings and simple social events.
Many of our members are locked out of China; especially our Rotaractors have a tough time as many are students or professors/teachers, unable to return.
We did restart with some modest lunches and dinners just to meet each other.

Hilton “BBQ”

Initially on 28 July we had planned an outdoor BBQ in the Hilton (3rd East Ring Road) but due to possible rain the hotel gave us the restaurant on the 2nd floor for our private dinner.
It was also the handover from the 2019-2020 team to the 2020-2021 team.

I managed to bring in some more young people who were able to mingle with the Rotarians.
Good service of the Hilton staff left everybody happy!
We had so many nationalities present, too many to mention…

A farewell dinner

Sadly in Beijing people come and go. One of our past presidents of the Rotary Club of Beijing is leaving us, as he got a new assignment in Europe.
One of our “core members” organized a small dinner at her home, to say farewell to our members leaving us. Our host did a wonderful job, so much delicious food, drinks and we even had a mini KTV session, revealing some hidden talents among our members.
I took part with a Rotaractor to help out for the service, we dressed in our Rotaract uniform!

We all hope we can slowly get back to normal to do our “service to the community”! Most of our projects are for children in need.

Old China Hands Lunch 3 July

Posted on by Gilbert Van Kerckhove

Back again

Another Old China Hands Lunch 3 July after the virus outbreak. Attendance was up with a total of 22.
Members blocked abroad and unable to return “home” are still close to 30.
Some are to give up on China for good, with their business, family life and social life wrecked. Beijing authorities don’t care and there is no end in sight for the misery, while Shanghai seems to to be looking for solutions.

Next lunch

Planned for Friday 7 August. Hopefully no “unexpected problems”.