Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08BEIJING2720
2008-07-13 23:00:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Beijing
Cable title:  

DEMARCHE DELIVERED ON MAJOR ISSUES AT

Tags:  AORC ECON ETRD WTRO CH 
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VZCZCXRO5848
PP RUEHCN RUEHGH RUEHVC
DE RUEHBJ #2720 1952300
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 132300Z JUL 08
FM AMEMBASSY BEIJING
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8560
INFO RUEHOO/CHINA POSTS COLLECTIVE
RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 2260
RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHDC
UNCLAS BEIJING 002720 

SIPDIS
SENSITIVE

STATE FOR EAP/CM
STATE FOR IO/T CHRIS WOOD
STATE PASS USTR FOR AUSTR TIM STRATFORD; ANN MAIN
USDOC FOR ITA DAS IRA KASOFF; TOM DYCUS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AORC ECON ETRD WTRO CH
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE DELIVERED ON MAJOR ISSUES AT
UNIVERSAL POSTAL UNION (UPU) CONGRESS

REF: STATE 66814

THIS CABLE IS SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED. NOT FOR
INTERNET DISTRIBUTION. PLEASE HANDLE ACCORDINGLY.

UNCLAS BEIJING 002720

SIPDIS
SENSITIVE

STATE FOR EAP/CM
STATE FOR IO/T CHRIS WOOD
STATE PASS USTR FOR AUSTR TIM STRATFORD; ANN MAIN
USDOC FOR ITA DAS IRA KASOFF; TOM DYCUS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AORC ECON ETRD WTRO CH
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE DELIVERED ON MAJOR ISSUES AT
UNIVERSAL POSTAL UNION (UPU) CONGRESS

REF: STATE 66814

THIS CABLE IS SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED. NOT FOR
INTERNET DISTRIBUTION. PLEASE HANDLE ACCORDINGLY.


1. (U) This is an action request (please see para 7).


2. (SBU) On June 25, post delivered reftel diplomatic
note to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA). On
June 30, post faxed reftel points to MFA and faxed
reftel points and a copy of the diplomatic note to the
State Postal Bureau (SPB),which is responsible for
postal affairs. SPB informed post that China's trade
ministry - the Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) - would
not be a part of the Chinese delegation to the UPU
Congress. On July 3, MFA informed post that an MFA
meeting would not be necessary as SPB is the lead
Chinese Government agency for UPU-related activities.


3. (U) On July 8, ECON Deputy MinsCouns (D/MC) and
econoff met with SPB Department of External Affairs
Deputy Director-General Lin Hongliang, Division of
International Cooperation Director Han Shuangming and
Division of International Cooperation Assistant
Consultant Ms. Fu Xiaoli to seek support for major
United States priorities at the upcoming UPU
quadrennial Congress scheduled to be held from July 23
- August 12 in Geneva.


4. (SBU) Lin told emboffs that China advocates "mutual
support" for the United States and Chinese candidacies
to the UPU Council of Administration (CA) and Postal
Operations Council (POC). He also said the United
States and China are both very important to the CA and
POC because the United States represents developed
countries and China represents the concerns of
developing countries. Lin requested United States
support for China's candidate for the position of
Deputy Director General of the UPU International
Bureau.


5. (SBU) On the UPU mission statement, SPB noted that
the core UPU mission statement should not be changed,
but advocated that appropriate wording should be found
to reflect changes in global economic developments.
SPB also said an increase in the budget would have
negative consequences, agreed with having zero growth,
but refrained from using the word "nominal," even when
pressed on the point. Lastly, SPB did not oppose
extrabudgetary groups but said their work program
should not conflict with activities of the UPU
Secretariat.


6. (U) Additionally, SPB informed post that SPB
Administrator Mr. Ma Junsheng would lead the Chinese
delegation, which will include over 30 people.
Individuals from the postal group company of Hong Kong
and Macao will join the delegation as well as an
official from China's Ministry of Finance (MOF) and an
MFA official attached to China's diplomatic mission in
Geneva.


7. (U) Action request: SPB has asked for information
about the United States delegation. (Comment: It is
possible that the Chinese delegation may want to
interact with the United States delegation at
anticipated events or receptions during the Congress.
End Comment).