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 DR.
LORAN FAUCHIER
China: A Growing Giant and Prospects
by George MacBain
Though we were all anticipating Dr. Wireman's informative annual
"State of China" message, his stand-in provided us a high-energy
snapshot of key issues facing China. Our best wishes for continued
recovery go out to former Queens University President and Honorary
Charlotte Rotary member Billy Wireman.
Dr. Loren Fauchier, Associate Professor in the Department of
Political Science and International Studies, highlighted seven key
issues that we should all consider. I have listed a summary below:
- China's Economy: Fastest
growing in "recorded history" at 8% annually since 1979;
Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has grown from $106B in
1970 to $1.4T today making China the worlds 6th largest
economy; Is now exporting 58% of GDP (this is huge) with
a big boost from dismantling of global textile quotas;
US trade deficit with China reached $162B last year;
high tech exports rose 26% in 1st qtr. 2005 mostly to
Europe; Europe is China's largest trade partner
replacing the US and Japan; largest receiver of direct
foreign investment ($153B in 2004); 242 million cell
phones. When China sneezes it matters!
- Political Issues:
Corruption is rampant affecting 20% of GDP; gap between
rich and poor is worlds 2nd widest; problems with
gender, drugs and AIDS are growing; 40% of fresh water
sources are polluted with northern cities close to
eliminating their natural water sources; world's #2 user
of oil and growing needs.
- Nationalism: China's
Communist party is embracing the characteristics of
Nationalism as a basis for legitimacy of their
government; growing divisiveness between Japan and China
has China fearing Japans more independent army being
pushed by the US conservative politicians.
- Taiwan conundrum…. War?
What will be the impact of the "Motherland" history as
they used to be one nation?; Reasons for optimism for
peace are Taiwan's economic ties with mainland China is
very strong and co-beneficial, US companies have
invested over $100B in Taiwan; Reasons for pessimism are
China's modern army buildup in the south, China's rule
over Hong Kong and China's recent anti-secessionist law.
Best solution is to remain Status Quo for both parties!
- China and North Korea:
North Korea has nukes--security against the US; NK
depends on China for 2/3 of its food and energy imports
so China has no sense of urgency to pressure NK to
disarm or be taken over by China. NK Communist party
wants to survive and must determine its own fate.
- China and Europe: Europe
wants to end arms embargo, insisted on by US over
Tiananmen Square issue, so they may normalize relations
with their largest trading partner. US is fearful Europe
will sell them sensitive military technology and China
may sell to other non-foe nations…Iran.
- China as a Democracy?
Democracies do not fight each other!! Theory is China
may possibly change it s party platform to get national
support so current politicos stay in power!
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John was kind enough to answer several questions following his
insightful comments on a subject of interest to all of us.
Head Table:
Smith Foushee, Bryan Adams,
Catherine Browning, Carol Jordan, Ed Turner, Don Carmichael;
Invocation: Jim Kelley
Visitors and Guests:
Tony Lathrop; Health & Happiness: Duke
Ison, Song: Gregg Walker; Piano: Thomas Moore
| NEW
MEMBER PROFILE |
Robert
S. Phifer (Bob)
Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C.
Classification: Law, Employment
400 W. Trade St. (28202) 704-342-2588
bob.phifer@ogletreedeakins.com |
Bob is a native Charlottean
and a shareholder in the Charlotte office of Ogletree,
Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C. Ogletree Deakins is one
of America's leading labor and employment law firms. The
firm represents and counsels employers in every area of
labor and employment law. Bob has almost 28 years of
experience as a labor and employment lawyer. He began his
legal career in 1977 with the labor and employment firm of
Haynsworth, Baldwin & Miles in Greenville, SC, moved to the
firm's Greensboro, NC office in 1985, and returned to
Charlotte in 1989, when he helped open the Charlotte office
for what was then Haynsworth, Baldwin, Johnson & Greaves
LLC. The Haynsworth firm merged into Ogletree Deakins on
September 1, 2004.
Bob received his bachelor's degree in Political Science from
the University of South Carolina in December 1973 and
graduated from the University of South Carolina School of
Law in 1977, where he was Executive Editor of the South
Carolina Law Review and a member of the Wig & Robe honor
society. He is admitted to practice law in both North
Carolina and South Carolina.
Bob is a graduate of both the Charlotte Chamber's leadership
school, and Leadership Charlotte, Class XIX. He is an
associate member of the Charlotte Chamber's Manufacturing
Business Alliance, the National Retail Federation Committee
on Employment Law, and the Charlotte Area Society for Human
Resources Management. He also leads a Search Ministries
study group and serves as an elder of Believers Bible Chapel
in south Charlotte. Bob and his wife, Pat, live in the
Foxcroft area. They have two grown children. |
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The
Habitat House wraps up on
Saturday, April 16th. If you have the opportunity to
participate and are able to come out on Saturday, please do
so. There are only 5 volunteers on the schedule from
Charlotte Rotary.
þ
Photos from the February 23
Gala are posted on the website (www.charlotterotary.org).
Click on previous meetings, 2005 archives, then 100th
Anniversary Rotary International Gala.
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Sympathy is extended to
Ken Poe and family upon the
death of Joy's Father, Mr. Thomas Eli Joyner, Jr., on April
2nd.
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From The Charlotte Observer:
The NC Chapter of the German American Chamber of Commerce
and NC honorary consul Kurt
Waldthausen presented the Gateway Award, a new
honor aimed at recognizing local and regional business links
with Germany; Dee Dee Murphy,
Executive Director for Leadership Charlotte, organized the
fourth Fingerprints forum on March 3rd, with a panel
discussion about Charlotte transit issues; and UNC Charlotte
Chancellor Jim Woodward
was on hand for the March 4th dedication of the new Anne R.
Belk Theater in the Robinson Hall for the Performing Arts on
the campus of UNCC.
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From Charlotte Business
Journal: John Stedman,
CEO of The Scottish Bank, provided an update on the growth
and success of the bank since opening in early 1999.
þ
From Greater Charlotte Biz: Bob
and Robert Freeman
talk about SMS Catering, the largest and second-oldest
private catering company in Charlotte. SMS Catering is
certainly a favorite to Charlotte Rotary.
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CPCC will hold its second
annual Clay Pigeon Challenge Cup on May 20, 2005. Contact
Brenda Lea for additional details.
þ
In appreciation for the
Charlotte Rotary Club's funding of a self-guided tour
brochure for the Charlotte Museum of History's Native
American Indian Gardens, Charlotte Rotary club members and
their families are invited to be guests for Historic Gardens
Family Day, Saturday, April 23. Pick up your flyer needed
for free admission at the check-in desk at Tuesday's
meeting. Thanks to Pam Meister
for arranging this benefit. |
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THE ROTARY FOUNDATION |
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Rotarians are asked to contribute a minimum of
$100 on an annual basis to support programs of The Rotary
Foundation. Do not feel your obligation is over once you achieve
your Paul Harris Fellow status. In order to continue funding the
many projects of The Rotary Foundation, the Foundation Trustees
adopted a goal to achieve $100 per capita worldwide by 2005. The
per capita giving at Charlotte Rotary is $71.51. Please contact
the Rotary office if you would like to set up your quarterly
pledge. |
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Attendance
Record |
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4/12/05 |
4/13/04 |
| visitors &
guests |
122 |
14 |
| club
members |
191 |
182 |
| total
attendance |
213 |
196 |
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Wedding
Anniversaries |
20 Joni and Aaron Davis
24 Dianne and Jesse Hite
25 Dot and Martin Waters |
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New Members | Resignations |
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n/a |
Tigger Alexander
Barbara Price
Ron Ezell |
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| Roaming
Rotarians |
Dick Robberts, Asheville
Jerry Walters, St. Louis | |
| Birthdays and
Birthplaces |
19 Fitz Dove, Winnsboro, SC
25 Jim Haney, Charlotte, NC |
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