Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06HONGKONG4122
2006-10-18 03:56:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Consulate Hong Kong
Cable title:
ADVANCING U.S. - HONG KONG AVIATION SERVICES
how-toVZCZCXRO2332 RR RUEHCN RUEHGH DE RUEHHK #4122 2910356 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 180356Z OCT 06 FM AMCONSUL HONG KONG TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9090 RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHDC INFO RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 9576 RUEHGZ/AMCONSUL GUANGZHOU 0128 RUEHGH/AMCONSUL SHANGHAI RUEHCN/AMCONSUL CHENGDU 0935 RUEHSH/AMCONSUL SHENYANG 3409 RUEHIN/AIT TAIPEI 4159
UNCLAS HONG KONG 004122
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EAP/CM
STATE FOR EB/TRA/AN ENGLE
COMMERCE FOR ITA/ALFORD
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAIR ECON HK
SUBJECT: ADVANCING U.S. - HONG KONG AVIATION SERVICES
AGREEMENT
REF: 2005 HONG KONG 5622
UNCLAS HONG KONG 004122
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EAP/CM
STATE FOR EB/TRA/AN ENGLE
COMMERCE FOR ITA/ALFORD
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAIR ECON HK
SUBJECT: ADVANCING U.S. - HONG KONG AVIATION SERVICES
AGREEMENT
REF: 2005 HONG KONG 5622
1. On October 12, Acting Deputy Principal Officer
Charbonnet delivered EB/TRA/AN Director Tom EngleQs letter
to Economic Development and Labor Bureau Deputy Secretary
Michael Wong and emphasized that the United States is
interested in advancing the U.S. - Hong Kong civil aviation
relationship. Noting that Wong had assumed the job of Hong
KongQs aviation services head negotiator in August,
Charbonnet indicated that both sides should take a fresh
look at the bilateral aviation relationship and seek ways
to move ahead. Wong responded that he would confer within
his government and with QHong KongQs airlines,Q namely
Cathay Pacific, and reply to Mr. EngleQs letter.
2. Wong also raised the status of the U.S. - Hong Kong
Mutual Aviation Tax Exemption Agreement. He acknowledged
that the Hong Kong government owed the United States an
answer on finalizing the Agreement (see reftel); however,
two contrasting views exist in Hong Kong regarding the
Agreement. Cathay Pacific believes that the Agreement
would be beneficial; however, the Inland Revenue
DepartmentQs initial view of the Agreement is not positive.
Wong stated that he is waiting for the Inland Revenue
DepartmentQs final opinion on the Agreement and hoped to
resolve the two opposing views.
CUNNINGHAM
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EAP/CM
STATE FOR EB/TRA/AN ENGLE
COMMERCE FOR ITA/ALFORD
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAIR ECON HK
SUBJECT: ADVANCING U.S. - HONG KONG AVIATION SERVICES
AGREEMENT
REF: 2005 HONG KONG 5622
1. On October 12, Acting Deputy Principal Officer
Charbonnet delivered EB/TRA/AN Director Tom EngleQs letter
to Economic Development and Labor Bureau Deputy Secretary
Michael Wong and emphasized that the United States is
interested in advancing the U.S. - Hong Kong civil aviation
relationship. Noting that Wong had assumed the job of Hong
KongQs aviation services head negotiator in August,
Charbonnet indicated that both sides should take a fresh
look at the bilateral aviation relationship and seek ways
to move ahead. Wong responded that he would confer within
his government and with QHong KongQs airlines,Q namely
Cathay Pacific, and reply to Mr. EngleQs letter.
2. Wong also raised the status of the U.S. - Hong Kong
Mutual Aviation Tax Exemption Agreement. He acknowledged
that the Hong Kong government owed the United States an
answer on finalizing the Agreement (see reftel); however,
two contrasting views exist in Hong Kong regarding the
Agreement. Cathay Pacific believes that the Agreement
would be beneficial; however, the Inland Revenue
DepartmentQs initial view of the Agreement is not positive.
Wong stated that he is waiting for the Inland Revenue
DepartmentQs final opinion on the Agreement and hoped to
resolve the two opposing views.
CUNNINGHAM