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

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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