HKGQs Aviation Services Negotiator Michael Wong

UNCLAS HONG KONG 004449 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: HKGQs Aviation Services Negotiator Michael Wong Responds To Tom Engle REF: HONG KONG 4122 ¶1. Post received letter from Economic Development and Labor Bureau Deputy Secretary Michael Wong on November 9 responding to EB/TRA/AN Director Tom EngleQs October 2 letter expressing the United StatesQ interest in advancing the U.S. - Hong Kong civil aviation relationship (see reftel). ¶2. The text of Michael WongQs letter follows: Begin Text. Dear Mr. Engle Thank you for your letter of 2 October 2006, which was conveyed to us by your colleagues at the U.S. Consulate General at a meeting on 12 October 2006. We have taken note of your interest in seeking the further liberalization of the current Hong Kong/U.S. bilateral air services arrangement. If I may observe as someone who is new to the scene, the current arrangement is already one of the most liberal bilateral arrangements that Hong Kong has reached with its aviation partners. In considering further room for development, we will look at the commercial opportunities that the arrangement is providing to the airlines of the two sides, and, ensure that it does so on a fair and equitable basis. In view of your interest and given the time that has lapsed since the discussions between our predecessors in 2005 over the proposals to further liberalize the Hong Kong / U.S. air services arrangement, which are obviously out of date by now, we will proceed to consult our airlines on their latest views regarding the existing arrangement and ascertain their requests. That process will take some time and we will get back to you once we are ready. In the meantime, if you have any specific proposal to make after your fresh examination of the U.S.Q position, please do not hesitate to let us know. With Warmest Regards, Yours sincerely, Michael Wong End Text. CUNNINGHAM