Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07HONGKONG244
2007-01-25 07:36:00
CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN
Consulate Hong Kong
Cable title:
U/S HUGHES 1/23 MEETING WITH HONG KONG HOME
how-toVZCZCXRO7772 PP RUEHCN RUEHGH RUEHVC DE RUEHHK #0244 0250736 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 250736Z JAN 07 FM AMCONSUL HONG KONG TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0260 INFO RUEHOO/CHINA POSTS COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L HONG KONG 000244
SIPDIS
NOFORN
SIPDIS
STATE FOR R, EAP/CM
NSC FOR WILDER
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/25/2032
TAGS: SCUL PHUM PREL PGOV KPAO CH HK
SUBJECT: U/S HUGHES 1/23 MEETING WITH HONG KONG HOME
SECRETARY PATRICK HO
SIPDIS
Classified By: JAMES B. CUNNINGHAM, CONSUL GENERAL REASON: 1.4 (B),(D
)
C O N F I D E N T I A L HONG KONG 000244
SIPDIS
NOFORN
SIPDIS
STATE FOR R, EAP/CM
NSC FOR WILDER
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/25/2032
TAGS: SCUL PHUM PREL PGOV KPAO CH HK
SUBJECT: U/S HUGHES 1/23 MEETING WITH HONG KONG HOME
SECRETARY PATRICK HO
SIPDIS
Classified By: JAMES B. CUNNINGHAM, CONSUL GENERAL REASON: 1.4 (B),(D
)
1. (SBU) During the otherwise informal and largely unscripted
meeting between visiting U/S Karen P. Hughes and Hong Kong
Home Affairs Secretary Patrick Ho on January 23 (report on
visit septel),Ho pulled out a prepared text when Hughes
alluded to China,s "one country, two systems" approach to
Hong Kong. Trying unsuccessfully to look natural and keep
the script discreetly beneath the table, Ho then proceeded to
read a short paragraph urging foreign official visitors to
the territory to "consider carefully Hong Kong,s unique
situation and characteristics" before "making public
statements," and to "refrain from any action or words that
would interfere in the internal politics of China or the Hong
Kong Special Administrative Region of China." His body
stiffened and his voice grew tense as he read the text.
2. (C) Comment: The PRC Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Commissioner,s Office approached the Consulate late last
week to raise concerns about the intent and scope of the
visit of U/S Hughes. At a luncheon meeting on January 19,
the Director General of the Policy Research Office of the
Commissioner and the Commissioner,s Spokesman raised similar
concerns*in almost identical language (but much smoother
delivery)*with the Consulate,s economic/political and
public affairs chiefs. This was just a day or so, as we
understand it, after Mainland authorities began shutting down
Beijing and Guangzhou plans for web chats for Hughes as part
of her Mainland China program. The implication is that
central leadership -- probably above the Foreign Ministry
level -- had become aware of the trip, and had issued
instructions to ensure that there be no surprises or
embarrassing statements. Clearly, Beijing reflected its
concerns to the Hong Kong Government, which felt constrained
to make the points painfully clear to us. After Ho had
finished reading his script, he returned it to his pocket and
again resumed a conversational tone with the look of a
schoolboy who had just completed an unpleasant but necessary
task assigned by a demanding schoolmaster. End Comment.
Cunningham
SIPDIS
NOFORN
SIPDIS
STATE FOR R, EAP/CM
NSC FOR WILDER
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/25/2032
TAGS: SCUL PHUM PREL PGOV KPAO CH HK
SUBJECT: U/S HUGHES 1/23 MEETING WITH HONG KONG HOME
SECRETARY PATRICK HO
SIPDIS
Classified By: JAMES B. CUNNINGHAM, CONSUL GENERAL REASON: 1.4 (B),(D
)
1. (SBU) During the otherwise informal and largely unscripted
meeting between visiting U/S Karen P. Hughes and Hong Kong
Home Affairs Secretary Patrick Ho on January 23 (report on
visit septel),Ho pulled out a prepared text when Hughes
alluded to China,s "one country, two systems" approach to
Hong Kong. Trying unsuccessfully to look natural and keep
the script discreetly beneath the table, Ho then proceeded to
read a short paragraph urging foreign official visitors to
the territory to "consider carefully Hong Kong,s unique
situation and characteristics" before "making public
statements," and to "refrain from any action or words that
would interfere in the internal politics of China or the Hong
Kong Special Administrative Region of China." His body
stiffened and his voice grew tense as he read the text.
2. (C) Comment: The PRC Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Commissioner,s Office approached the Consulate late last
week to raise concerns about the intent and scope of the
visit of U/S Hughes. At a luncheon meeting on January 19,
the Director General of the Policy Research Office of the
Commissioner and the Commissioner,s Spokesman raised similar
concerns*in almost identical language (but much smoother
delivery)*with the Consulate,s economic/political and
public affairs chiefs. This was just a day or so, as we
understand it, after Mainland authorities began shutting down
Beijing and Guangzhou plans for web chats for Hughes as part
of her Mainland China program. The implication is that
central leadership -- probably above the Foreign Ministry
level -- had become aware of the trip, and had issued
instructions to ensure that there be no surprises or
embarrassing statements. Clearly, Beijing reflected its
concerns to the Hong Kong Government, which felt constrained
to make the points painfully clear to us. After Ho had
finished reading his script, he returned it to his pocket and
again resumed a conversational tone with the look of a
schoolboy who had just completed an unpleasant but necessary
task assigned by a demanding schoolmaster. End Comment.
Cunningham