HONG KONG: CI/KR RESPONSE FOR S/CT

S E C R E T HONG KONG 000524

NOFORN
SIPDIS

STATE FOR EAP/CM
STATE FOR S/CT SHARRI R. CLARK

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/20/2019
TAGS: PTER ASEC EFIN ENRG KCIP PGOV HK
SUBJECT: HONG KONG: CI/KR RESPONSE FOR S/CT

REF: STATE 15113

Classified By: Consul General Joe Donovan for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (S/NF) In response to reftel, Post concurs that the four
Hong Kong assets named in the 2008 Critical Foreign
Dependencies Initiative (CFDI) list meet the criteria (see
below). Post also suggests listing Hong Kong assets
separately from Mainland China, given a highly autonomous
local government and regulatory structure.

HONG KONG
--------------

C2C Cable Network undersea cable landing, Chom Hom Kok, Hong
Kong

EAC undersea cable landing Tseung Kwan O, Hong Kong

FLAG/REACH North Asia Loop undersea cable landing Tong Fuk,
Hong Kong

Hong Kong Port


2. (S/NF) Post submits the following asset for inclusion to
CFDI list:

-- Name and physical location of the asset
Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) at Chek Lap Kok,
Lantau Island, Hong Kong

-- Rationale for including asset
HKIA is a key hub in the global supply chain. HKIA operates
the busiest international air cargo facility (over 3.6
million tons of air cargo),with most cargo transshipped from
Mainland China en route to the United States and other
international markets. In 2008, HKIA also became the fifth
busiest international passenger airport (more than 48.6
million passengers) with daily direct flights from/to the
United States. Because of the air cargo and passenger volume
processed, HKIA is a critical node in the global
transportation system to be included in the CFDI list.


3. (S/NF) Post does not have information to indicate the
assets identified are active targets, or vulnerable due to
natural circumstances.
DONOVAN