LABOR SECRETARY CHAO MEETS BEIJING MAYOR GUO JINLONG,

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 003343 DEPT PASS USTR FOR KARESH, ROSENBERG, STRATFORD, LEE LABOR FOR ILAB AND OSEC TREAS FOR OASIA/ISA-CUSHMAN USDOC FOR 4420/ITA/MAC/MCQUEEN AND DAS KASOFF SIPDIS SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ELAB PREL OVIP PGOV KOLY CH SUBJECT: LABOR SECRETARY CHAO MEETS BEIJING MAYOR GUO JINLONG, AUGUST 26, 2008 (U) This cable is Sensitive but Unclassified. Please protect accordingly. ¶1. (U) August 26, 2008; 11:00; Beijing Municipal Government North Building. ¶2. (U) Participants: United States: Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao Ambassador Clark T. Randt, Jr. Associate Deputy Secretary of Labor Anna Hui Dr. James Chao Michael Crain, U.S. Embassy Beijing Dan Kritenbrink (Embassy notetaker) Jim Brown, interpreter PRC: Beijing Mayor GUO Jinlong YANG Shuyin, Director, Beijing Foreign Affairs Office ZHANG Xingqing, Director, Beijing Municipality Labor Bureau ZHANG Yali, Director General, MOHRSS ZHAO Hui, MOHRSS (interpreter) Summary -------------- ¶3. (SBU) Beijing Mayor GUO Jinlong warmly welcomed Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao and thanked her for leading the U.S. Presidential Delegation to the Olympics Closing Ceremony. The Games left a "precious legacy" for both Beijing and China that had "showcased" the achievements of the PRC's opening and reform drive and that will continue to benefit the city's development. Passing the Olympic flag to IOC President Jacques Rogge at the August 24 Closing Ceremony was "deeply moving," Mayor Guo said, noting that in doing so China "fulfilled its commitments" made when it was awarded the right to host the Games seven years ago. Beijing nevertheless still faces the task of hosting the September Paralympic Games. Secretary Chao complimented Mayor Guo on a successful Olympics, noting the impressive job the Mayor, his staff and the people of Beijing had done in staging the Games. In particular, Secretary Chao said she heard reports that the massive Beijing construction efforts for the Olympics had proceeded smoothly and that the city had strengthened enforcement of wage, health and safety standards on the construction sites. The Mayor thanked Secretary Chao for her comments but said Beijing still has "a long way to go," as it remains the capital of a developing country. Noting Secretary Chao's "very important position" as the first Asian American woman, and the first Chinese American, to be a member of a President's cabinet, Mayor Guo said he would welcome the Secretary to share her experiences, comments and advice with the Beijing Municipal Government at anytime as a means of enhancing exchanges between China and the United States. End Summary. Warm Welcome -------------- ¶4. (SBU) Beijing Mayor GUO Jinlong warmly welcomed visiting Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao to the Beijing Municipal Government offices on August 26, thanking her for leading the U.S. Presidential Delegation to the August 24 Olympics Closing Ceremony. Mayor Guo expressed pleasure at learning that Secretary Chao's father, Dr. James Chao, had traveled to China with her. Secretary Chao, accompanied by Ambassador Randt, noted that she was pleased to see Mayor Guo again, following their initial meeting at the August 24 luncheon hosted by President Hu Jintao. Olympics: China's Commitments Fulfilled -------------- ¶5. (SBU) Reflecting on the just-completed Olympics, Mayor Guo said the Games had left behind a "precious legacy" for Beijing and all of China. The Games "spread the Olympic spirit," helped enhance China's friendship with the world's peoples and showcased the achievements of China's opening and reform drive. Beijing's urban planning and development also benefited from the Games, and the Olympics' impact will continue to be "instrumental" for the city's future development. ¶6. (SBU) Passing the Olympic flag to IOC President Jacques Rogge at BEIJING 00003343 002 OF 002 the August 24 Closing Ceremony was "deeply moving," Mayor Guo said, noting that in doing so he felt China "fulfilled its commitments" made seven years when it was awarded the right to host the Games. Hosting the Olympics is an aspiration the Chinese people have held for more than a century. When it was selected as the host city, Beijing was already well aware that the Olympics belong not just to China but to all the world's peoples. Over the past seven years, due to the resolute leadership of the Central Government and the generous support of Chinese people both on the Mainland and abroad, China diligently prepared for the Games and "fulfilled its commitments to the international community," successfully endeavoring to hold a green, high-tech, people's Olympics designed to satisfy the international community, the athletes and the general public. ¶7. (SBU) Beijing still faces the task of hosting a successful Paralympic Games in September, Mayor Guo said, explaining that the Beijing Organizing Committee of the Olympic Games(BOCOG) held a meeting that very morning to discuss preparations. Guo said BOCOG plans to "follow the Olympic spirit" to prepare well for these Games so as to take good care of both the participating Paralympians and friends from around the world. Eyes of the World Upon China -------------- ¶8. (SBU) Secretary Chao complimented Mayor Guo on a successful Olympics, stating that the Mayor, his staff and the people of Beijing had done a tremendously impressive job of staging the Games. The eyes of the entire world have been upon China, and many had anxiously waited to see whether Beijing could perform under the "bright lights" of global scrutiny. Mayor Guo and the people of China deserve great credit for having held very successful Games. Secretary Chao complimented in particular the work of volunteers in Beijing. Noting that the Mayor previously said he expected the Games would improve the civility and manners of the population, Secretary Chao said she could attest personally to the friendliness and excellent English ability of the volunteers. A group from Kentucky, the Secretary's home state, had traveled to China for the first time to help out at the USA House in Beijing, and its members had been deeply impressed by the hospitality of all the Chinese people with whom they met, the Secretary noted. ¶9. (SBU) Secretary Chao said she also understood that Beijing's construction efforts had proceeded smoothly and that the city had created rigorous wage, health and safety conditions. Achieving praise in this sector is no easy task, the Secretary stated. Secretary Chao also noted the very impressive Closing Ceremony, commenting that in handing over the Olympic flag, Beijing has set a very high standard for London to meet. Beijing: "Still Developing" -------------- ¶10. (SBU) Mayor Guo thanked Secretary Chao for her comments on the Games but replied that Beijing still has "a long way to go," as it remains the capital city of a developing country. With a total population of 16 million, Beijing possesses a per capita GDP of USD 7,654 as of 2007. Thus, Beijing is still "in the process" of developing, but it will build upon the legacy of the Olympics and, following the guidance of the "Scientific Development Concept," will strive to become a metropolis that is prosperous, harmonious and environmentally friendly. Secretary Chao's Important Position -------------- ¶11. (SBU) Mayor Guo said Secretary Chao is in a "very important position" as the first Asian American woman, and the first Chinese American, to be a member of a United States President's cabinet. The Mayor said he would welcome Secretary Chao to share her experiences, comments and advice with the Beijing Municipal Government at anytime as a means of enhancing exchanges between China and the United States. ¶12. (U) Secretary Chao cleared this message. RANDT