Few organisations do as much selfless good work as Rotary. The global service group has no politics, except good fellowship, and preaches no sermons, apart from urging members to help their communities. But now, because of a silly misunderstanding, there seems to be an appalling misconception about Rotary among some Chinese officials.
Let's hope this can be swiftly straightened out; China and Rotary are made for each other. The organisation has a vast and influential global membership of businessmen and professionals. A strong Rotary presence in China could be of enormous benefit to the country.
The misunderstanding in Shanghai which has caused concern to Rotarians here and abroad should be dealt with immediately.
There is one obvious figure who could instantly wipe away the notion that Rotary is somehow a dangerous presence. Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa knows well the important role Rotary fills in our community. By taking an active stance he would be doing a good turn to a key global business organisation and to China. He should explain to the authorities in Beijing and Shanghai that Rotary is not only harmless in a political sense, but a very active force for progress.
The current situation is almost laughable. There was a recent incident in Shanghai in which a junior official in Pudong seemed to mix-up Rotary with the banned Falun Gong sect. Two more different bodies, it would be hard to imagine.
But this led to an unpleasant series of incidents in which a group of Rotarians from Seattle were harassed and embarrassed while in Shanghai.