BIO REPORTING ON JIANGSU GOVERNOR LIANG AND AUDITOR LI

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 SHANGHAI 000550

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR EAP/CM, INR/B AND INR/EAP
TREAS FOR OASIA - CUSHMAN
USDOC FOR ITA/MAC - A/DAS MCQUEEN
NSC FOR WILDER

E.O. 12958: DECL: 8/30/2032
TAGS: PINR PGOV CH
SUBJECT: BIO REPORTING ON JIANGSU GOVERNOR LIANG AND AUDITOR LI

REF: SHANGHAI 547

SHANGHAI 00000550 001.2 OF 002


CLASSIFIED BY: Simon Schuchat, Deputy Principal Officer, U.S.
Embassy, Beijing, Department of State.
REASON: 1.4 (b),(d)




1. (C) Summary: During an August 26 dinner in honor of
Comptroller General of the United States David Walker, head of
the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO),Walker met with
Jiangsu Governor Liang Baohua, accompanied by Auditor General of
the National Auditing Administration Li Jinhua. Liang and Li
made few substantive remarks, but gave participants insight into
their personalities (see Reftel for a substantive readout of GAO
Walker's visit). The following cable provides biographic
information on Liang and Li and observations about their
personalities. Liang came across as pleasant, although unable
to sit still. While he apparently knew the basics of the U.S.
political system, he lacked a more in-depth understanding.
Liang also appeared to share a genuine friendship with Li. Li
came across as reserved and concerned with portraying a clean
image. Although Li is likely to retire in 2008, Walker believed
he would continue to have influence within the Chinese political
system. End summary.

--------------
Liang: Friendly but Fidgety
--------------


2. (C) During the August 26 event, Liang came across as a
friendly interlocutor, albeit somewhat uncomfortable. During
the meeting preceding the dinner, Liang was constantly
smiling--sometimes in an almost pained manner--and was unable to
keep still; constantly moving in his seat, fidgeting, or
twiddling his fingers. Liang appeared easily distracted and
kept looking around the room at other people, particularly when
waiting for translation. Liang gave no indication that he spoke
or understood English. Li noted that Liang frequently worked
weekends.


3. (C) Liang did not eat the abalone with mushrooms during the
meal, opting instead for what appeared to be pumpkin soup. He
also eschewed the fruit platter at the end of dinner for a plate
of cherry tomatoes. It is unclear if this was related to health
concerns or personal preferences.

-------------- --------------
Liang's Understanding of the U.S. Political System a Bit Lacking
-------------- --------------


4. (SBU) During dinner, Liang and Walker discussed the
differences between the Chinese and U.S. political systems.
Liang opined that governors in the United States were more
focused on politics because they were elected. He contrasted
that with Chinese governors who focused more on economic
development and people's livelihoods. Liang said that in China,
governors' main responsibilities were to implement central
government directives. He said he understood that the link
between the federal and state governments in the United States
was much weaker, which Walker explained was by design. Liang
elucidated that in China, provincial governments were chosen by
the local People's Congress, not the National People's Congress
(NPC).


5. (C) While Liang understood the separation between state and
federal government, he had apparently never given much thought
to the relationships at local levels of government in the United
States. Liang asserted that in the United States, the governors
were assisted in their work by the municipal mayors. He seemed
both amused and surprised when Walker explained that, in fact,
mayors did not work for or answer to the governors, but to their
local constituents who elected them.

--------------
A Special Relationship With Li Jinhua
--------------


6. (C) Liang appeared to have more than a working-level
relationship with Li. Both men seemed very at ease with each
other, laughing, joking, and carrying on private conversations
in hushed tones throughout the dinner; Li was seated to Liang's
immediate left. Their interaction and mannerisms suggested that
they were old friends. Both Liang and Li came up through the
ranks in Jiangsu Province.


SHANGHAI 00000550 002.2 OF 002


--------------
Li Jinhua: Maintaining a Clean Image
--------------


7. (C) Li appeared concerned with maintaining his public clean
image. He made a point to say that he was taking the train-- a
12 hour ride--back to Beijing as opposed to flying. Also,
during an August 25 dinner in Suzhou with the municipal mayor,
Li ordered the press photographers to refrain from taking
photos, apparently not wanting to be seen in the papers being
wined and dined by local officials. Li came across as reserved
and aloof. According to the Embassy interpreter, Li did not
speak English much beyond "thank you." Walker added that Li
understood a little more English than he spoke. Li is married.


8. (C) According to Walker, who has met with Li on several
occasions throughout his career, Li was originally appointed to
his position by former Premier Zhu Rongji. However, due to his
age, he would likely be retiring at the spring 2008 People's
Congress. Walker believed that Li would remain influential
after his retirement from the Audit Administration, and would
likely take up a position in the NPC. Li had been largely
responsible for taking the Audit Administration and transforming
it from a bureaucratically insignificant organ into a powerful
entity. Li had also gone out of his way to tell Walker that he
was an advocate for greater democratization of the Chinese
political system. (Note: No further information was available
regarding Li's views on democracy. End note.)


9. (U) The Comptroller General's delegation did not have the
opportunity to clear this report before leaving Shanghai.
JARRETT