EXTRANCHECK: PRE-LICENSE CHECK: UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG,

UNCLAS HONG KONG 000468

SIPDIS

USDOC FOR 532/OEA/LHINES/ADYSON
USDOC FOR 3132 FOR FCS/OIO REGIONAL DIRECTOR WILLIAM ZARIT
BICE FOR OFFICE OF STRATEGIC INVESTIGATIONS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: BMGT BEXP HK ETRD ETTC
SUBJECT: EXTRANCHECK: PRE-LICENSE CHECK: UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG,
PEDIATRIC AND ADOLESCENT MEDICINE
REF: A) USDOC 01120 B) D391076


1. Unauthorized disclosure of the information provided below is
prohibited by Section 12C of the Export Administration Act.


2. As per reftel A request and at the direction of the Office of
Enforcement Analysis (OEA) of the USDOC Bureau of Industry and
Security (BIS),Export Control Officer Philip Ankel (ECO),conducted
a pre-license check at the Hong Kong University, Pediatric and
Adolescent Medicine Department, No 21 Sasson Road, Pokfulam, Hong
Kong (HK University). The purpose of the visit was to determine the
suitability of HK University to be a recipient of Staphylococcal
Enterotoxin B that is the subject of export license application
D391076. The items (Export Control Classification Number 1C351) are
valued at USD $126 and are controlled for chemical and biological
weapons reasons (CB). The license applicant is Sigma Aldrich
Chemical Company of Saint Louis, Missouri.


3. On March 6, 2008, ECO and Commercial Assistant Carrie Chan
visited HK University at the address listed above and met with the
Director of the lab that is receiving the items, Mr. Davy Lee, as
well as Dr. Mike Mackett, the University of Hong Kong's Biological
Safety Officer. The meeting occurred in the HK University
laboratory where the items will be used as part of research on
T-Lymphocytes.


4. Mr. Lee stated that the quantities in question are very small
and will be preserved in a refrigerator in the lab where the meeting
occurred. The refrigerator is secured by a lock and access to labs
is limited by electronic key card access. Dr. Mackett stressed that
HK University had recently been favorably inspected by the CDC for
safety and security measures in conjunction with unrelated research
funded by the CDC that is also being conducted at the university.


5. At the time visited, HK University appeared to be a suitable
recipient of the subject controlled items since it cooperated fully
with the PLC and provided information on HK University's proposed
use of the items in Hong Kong as well as measures taken to secure
the items.

Cunningham