HONG KONG PREPARES FOR TURNOVER TENTH ANNIVERSARY

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 HONG KONG 004813 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR EAP AND EAP/CM NSC FOR DENNIS WILDER E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/21/2031 TAGS: PGOV PREL SOCI CH HK SUBJECT: HONG KONG PREPARES FOR TURNOVER TENTH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION Classified By: DPO Marlene Sakaue; Reasons 1.4 (b, d) ¶1. (C) Summary: On July 1, 2007, Hong Kong will celebrate the tenth anniversary of its reversion to the PRC. To celebrate the occasion, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government (HKSARG) is organizing a series of events, the themes of which will be "the successful implementation of 'One Country, Two Systems'" and "the Hong Kong spirit." The HKSARG's recently established Celebrations Preparatory Office (CPO) is coordinating a six-month long program of cultural, educational, and sports events to mark the occasion, while also preparing for visits by senior central government leaders, possibly including President Hu Jintao. The HKSARG does not intend to invite senior foreign leaders, however, unless they happened to be in Hong Kong for other purposes. End Summary. ¶2. (SBU) July 1, 2007 will mark the tenth anniversary of Hong Kong's reversion to the PRC. To celebrate the occasion, the HKSARG is organizing a series of events to highlight "the successful implementation of 'One Country, Two Systems'" and "the Hong Kong spirit." To coordinate these arrangements, the HKSARG in July 2006 established an interdepartmental steering committee led by Rafael Hui, the Chief Secretary for Administration. In September, the CPO under Director Raymond Young assumed responsibility for planning and preparations. During a December 7 meeting, Young told the DPO that his recently-established office was preparing for a "very large scale program" of activities to mark the tenth anniversary of Hong Kong's reversion to the mainland. This program would open in April 2007 and extend over six months. ¶3. (C) Young, whose office at this time includes just two staff members, said the CPO current operations fell into two areas. First, the CPO is assembling an "events program" of government-initiated and government-accredited community activities, including a conference looking back on the accomplishments of the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA),an education program, and various cultural events. Noting the CPO wanted to plan some events featuring internationally known performers, Young said renowned cellist Yo Yo Ma would be an ideal candidate, but doubted Ma would be available on such short notice. Young asked for our assistance to identify whether the Consulate might know of one or two top U.S. entertainers who might be willing to participate. Second, the CPO was preparing for visits to Hong Kong by central government leaders, possibly including President Hu Jintao, although Hu's participation was not yet confirmed. With or without Hu, however, Young said other "very high level" officials would attend the festivities. Young also told us the HKSARG hoped to announce finalization of some high-profile cross-border infrastructure projects, such as the Western Corridor. Limited Foreign Participation -------------- ¶4. (C) Young told us that the central government had "made it clear" that the ten-year celebration would be "our event" (meaning Hong Kong's). He indicated that there would be neither large-scale activities on the mainland nor invitations to senior foreign leaders, unless they happened to be in Hong Kong for other purposes. He added that the HKSARG's Economic and Trade Offices overseas and on the mainland would organize their own celebratory activities. ¶5. (SBU) In a December 18 interview in the "Sig Tao Daily," Young said about thirty Hong Kong usiness associations thus far had expressed interst in sponsoring programs for the anniversary ceebration. (Several of the pro-mainland organizaions hold annual dinners to commemorate Hong Kong' return to China.) Also, the CPO had received about HKD 20 million (USD 2.6 million) in private donations for the events. Young described several programs under consideration for the celebration, including a demonstration match between two well-known European professional soccer teams, a "sports gala" with participation by PRC Olympic gold medal-winners, a Latin dance competition, various musical performances, and an international film festival. Democrats Crowded Out? -------------- ¶6. (SBU) In the same interview, Young said the HKSARG would "try its best" to accommodate other applications for use of public spaces during the celebration. In recent years, Hong Kong's pro-democracy groups have used Victoria Park as the staging area for their annual demonstration and march, and HONG KONG 00004813 002 OF 002 rumors are circulating that the park might not be available next year due to competing demands by pro-Beijing groups. The Civil Human Rights Front has applied for use of the park on July 1, but thus far it has not received a permit. Cunningham