RCKGM Golden News - Volume 14

Purpose: To discuss trade issues relevant and important to Hong Kong, China and the US. Met with various senior level officials and policy makers from the administration ... Office of the Vice President, State Department, Commerce Department, NSC, USTR, plus Senators and Representatives; numbering about 100 meetings over four days from 14th to the 17th May.

Delegate Composition: Senior executives who represent Amcham leadership and have extensive experience managing businesses in Hong Kong, China and the region.

Our key messages

·    benefits the US. It creates jobs, delivers consumer goods at reasonable prices, and helps promote American goods, services and agricultural products overseas.

·    Creates an environment conducive to reform in China, by exposing workers and communities to business models that promote best practices, including world-class labour and environment standards.

·    Benefits Hong Kong as our economic growth in the past years has been led by exports.

2. Hong Kong

·    Hong Kong is a separate trading partner and the US should continue to treat its trading relations with Hong Kong separately from the rest of mainland China.

·     'one country, two systems' mode of administration is working well, with continued respect for the rule of law, press freedom and a laissez-faire economy

                                                                Our Focus

Building relationships and facilitating greater understanding of China and Hong Kong

1. The new administration: senior level officials and policy makers from the administration, Office of the Vice President, State Department, Commerce Department, NSC, USTR,

2. Newly elected senators and congressmen who may not be familiar with the issues.

3. Legislators who had not taken a clear position.

                                                                Our Message

Encourage everyone to visit Hong Kong and China. These visits are educational and enlightening, and help open minds and broaden perspective.

                                                              What we heard

1. Regarding Hong Kong, all seemed pleased with the transition of Chief Secretary from Mrs. Anson Chan to Mr. Donald Tsang, as well as the appointment of Mr. Anthony Leung.

2.      Many asked us to encourage Mr. Donald Tsang to visit Washington DC as soon as possible. He is regarded as a very positive communicator on Hong Kong issues and its unique style of government.

3.      Many were complimentary about the works and effort of the HK Economic and Trade Office in Washington DC.

4.      Amcham Hong Kong seemed to be the first business group to be discussing NTR with the legislators and members of the administration.

5.      Despite the recent tension in US-China relations, both policy makers and legislators expressed willingness to 'compartmentalize' politics from trade issues like NTR.

6.      Based on our discussions with members of the administration, President Bush is very likely to renew China's NTR status prior to the June 3 deadline.  (Note: This happened on 1 June.)

7.      Based on our discussions with legislators, we are cautiously optimistic that the necessary votes are there for both the House and Senate.

8.      The tally based on our 90+ meetings showed roughly 65% for NTR, 15% undecided, and 20% against.

9.      Congressmen are unlikely for the most part to change their vote from last year's PNTR vote.

10. There is no doubt however that the NTR vote will be a challenging process and there is a concern about the noise and rhetoric about China that will be created because of the vote.

After a busy question and answer session PP Brian gave the vote of
thanks.

Born in Germany, I travelled for most of my childhood and teenage life, both in Europe and Asia. Arts and Crafts, was one of the many subjects I enjoyed and excelled in during my educational years. At first I thought my calling was toward the artistic. On thinking about it though, I decided that because I had enjoyed cooking from an early age, I would be able to use my artistic talents as well as my joy of cooking better, as a chef.

I started the long and sometimes arduous, but mostly enjoyable journey into the world of hospitality as a trainee Hotel Fachfrau, which is a three year training covering all sectors of the Hotel industry. It was a very interesting experience, which made me realize that I enjoyed the customer service aspect very much.

I progressed from Restaurant through Sommelier, Chef, F&B, Accounts, Reception, Banqueting, Sales and Marketing to General Management. After managing a group of privately owned Hotels, I thought it was time to do my own thing. This I did successfully until my partner and I decided to go our separate ways, and by now I had had enough of Germany and felt it was time to go back to the UK. No sooner said than done.

On arriving in the UK I thought it might be time for a change, like, have the occasional weekend off or even a public holiday for once in my life. Given the choice of managing a hotel or joining Regus Business Centres, Regus won. After running a centre for a short time I was able to progress into what interested me more, training. On applying to come to Asia, I was here after just two weeks and have had a great time travelling around the region getting to know the cultures and training people in several countries, which has taught me a tremendous amount. I will be based more permanently in Hong Kong within the next few months, which will enable me to concentrate on.

My next step, which will be, to set up my own Quality Consultancy backed by training programs for all aspects of hospitality and customer service. There is a great need and I very much hope to be of assistance to many.

www.frankdevlyn.org/virtualconvention/ is the location of Rotary's first "virtual" convention. If you cannot make it to the next Rotary International Convention in San Antonio, Texas, you can keep abreast of the activities on-line.

www.rotary.org/newsandinfo/newsbasket/ is the place to find out the latest news in the world of Rotary. This week there is a story about the "New Models for Rotary Clubs Pilot Project", which may ultimately create templates for the creation of new style Rotary Clubs.

www.rotary.org/membership/development/prospective/ is a site which provides excellent information for prospective Rotarians. If you know somebody who might make a good Rotarian and member of KGM, you can direct them to this site.

www.rckgm.org is, as you should all know by now, the website of the RC of Kowloon Golden Mile. Check it out !