Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09SHANGHAI229
2009-05-25 09:09:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Consulate Shanghai
Cable title:  

CODEL PELOSI MEETING WITH SHANGHAI PEOPLE'S CONGRESS

Tags:  PGOV ECON PREL BEXP OVIP PELOSI NANCY CH 
pdf how-to read a cable
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ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 250909Z MAY 09
FM AMCONSUL SHANGHAI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 7955
INFO RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 2800
RUEHSH/AMCONSUL SHENYANG 1979
RUEHGZ/AMCONSUL GUANGZHOU 0445
RUEHCN/AMCONSUL CHENGDU 1988
RUEHHK/AMCONSUL HONG KONG 2157
RUEHIN/AIT TAIPEI 1776
RHEHAAA/NSC WASHINGTON DC
RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHINGTON DC
RUEHGH/AMCONSUL SHANGHAI 8601
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 04 SHANGHAI 000229 

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

STATE ALSO FOR EAP/PD - STOLTZ, GALT AND EMMONS
STATE ALSO FOR ECA
STATE ALSO FOR S/S-P JAMES GREEN
USDOC FOR ITA/MAC/OCEA
NSC FOR LOI, SHRIER

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV ECON PREL BEXP OVIP PELOSI NANCY CH
SUBJECT: CODEL PELOSI MEETING WITH SHANGHAI PEOPLE'S CONGRESS
CHAIRMAN

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 04 SHANGHAI 000229

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

STATE ALSO FOR EAP/PD - STOLTZ, GALT AND EMMONS
STATE ALSO FOR ECA
STATE ALSO FOR S/S-P JAMES GREEN
USDOC FOR ITA/MAC/OCEA
NSC FOR LOI, SHRIER

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV ECON PREL BEXP OVIP PELOSI NANCY CH
SUBJECT: CODEL PELOSI MEETING WITH SHANGHAI PEOPLE'S CONGRESS
CHAIRMAN


1. (SBU) Summary: Welcoming Speaker of the U.S. House of
Representatives Nancy Pelosi and a delegation of five additional
House members on May 24, Shanghai Municipal People's Congress
(MPC) Standing Committee Chairman Liu Yungeng characterized the
Speaker's visit to Shanghai as good both for China and for the
municipality. Liu acknowledged the global financial crisis had
slowed Shanghai's growth but believed Central Government
economic stimulus policies and popular expectations for the 2010
World Exposition are helping to reenergize the local economy.
He acknowledged rapid growth has led to challenges for the
municipal leadership, particularly in dealing with citizens'
discontent over relocation as a result of urban redevelopment.
The Speaker thanked Liu and his colleagues for their efforts on
the delegation's behalf and indicated she would work with
Secretary of State Clinton on U.S. representation at the 2010
Expo. End summary.



U.S.-China Relations "Positive, Cooperative, Comprehensive"

-------------- --------------




2. (SBU) Following introductions of the Chinese attendees at
the May 24 meeting with Speaker Pelosi, Shanghai Municipal
People's Congress Standing Committee Chairman Liu Yungeng
welcomed the Speaker's delegation and observed relations between
the United States and China have been developing "steadily and
progressively" since President Obama took office in January.
President Obama and Chinese President Hu Jintao, he noted, had
reached a consensus at the London G20 meeting in April on
establishing a "positive, cooperative, and comprehensive"
relationship between the two countries. Liu praised the 1999
establishment of the parliamentary exchange between China's
National People's Congress Standing Committee and the U.S. House
of Representatives as another bridge for friendly interaction
between U.S. and Chinese legislators.




3. (SBU) Liu stressed that the delegations decision to make

Shanghai their initial stop on their visit to China was good not
only for China but particularly for Shanghai in its own effort
to build ties with other countries and regions. Shanghai, Liu
noted, has sister-city relations with San Francisco and Chicago.
He hoped the Speaker and other members of the delegation would
leave Shanghai with a better understanding of the city and
invited them to be candid in any suggestions they might have on
how to improve it.



Effects of Financial Crisis Appear to Be Easing

-------------- --




4. (SBU) Reviewing Shanghai's development, Liu observed the
municipality had enjoyed double-digit economic growth both in
gross domestic product and in citizens' incomes for many years.
The global financial crisis had caused growth to slow in 2008 to
9.7 percent, but central government policies to boost domestic
demand have started to create a "warming" of the local economy.
In particular, policies aimed at aiding enterprises had led to a
pick-up both in the stock market and in the housing market
during the first four months of 2009. Strong growth in retail
sales during the January-April period shows the ability and
willingness of Shanghai residents to consume more. Moreover,
the Central Government has reiterated its support for Shanghai
to develop its service and advanced manufacturing sectors and to
act as China's leading financial and shipping center.
Expectations for the Shanghai 2010 World Exposition (Expo) have
also strengthened the confidence of Shanghai residents in the
municipality's future, Liu stressed. According to Liu, 238

SHANGHAI 00000229 002 OF 004


countries and regions have confirmed their participation in the
Expo, of which over 40 had agreed to build pavilions. This
effort will give a strong boost to the Shanghai economy.




5. (SBU) Nevertheless, Liu acknowledged Shanghai's development
has its challenges as well, notably the ubiquitous construction
sites that create substantial inconvenience to its citizens. In
addition, Shanghai has had to relocate about one million
households in order to improve living standards. He admitted
not all citizens have welcomed relocation. If even just one
member of each household opposes relocation, that means one
million unhappy people, Liu observed.




6. (SBU) Liu briefly described the organization and functions
of the Shanghai Municipal People's Congress. Using energy
issues as an example, he indicated the congress has increasingly
passed more detailed local legislation in contrast to the very
general statutes of earlier years in order to strengthen
regulation. The congress is also focusing on improving the
administrative regulations of the municipal government.




7. (SBU) In response to question from Representative Markey on
energy efficiency standards in Shanghai, Liu noted he had
personally made inspection tours of building sites to observe
the installation of energy saving measures. For example, new
government buildings and factories are required to install
energy-efficient lighting and automatic switches to reduce power
consumption. In addition, the Shanghai Municipal Government is
providing subsidies to car owners that encourage them to switch
to more fuel-efficient vehicles, Liu stated. Shanghai also has
a number of solar power and wind power facilities, and the
municipality's Tongji University has been pioneering several new
energy-saving technologies that have yet to be commercialized.
Liu indicated that, according to a municipal government report,
Shanghai's coal consumption per RMB 10,000 of GDP has fallen
over 11 percent over the past three years.



Speaker: Important to See China First-hand; Support for U.S.
Presence at 2010 Expo

-------------- --------------




8. (SBU) Speaker Pelosi recounted her meeting earlier in the
date with Catholic Bishop Jin Luxian (septel),who had noted
how, despite the improvements in communication in the modern
world, there is still no substitute for seeing something in
person. She thanked Liu for the compliment he and the other
Chinese participants had given to the U.S. delegation in the
time and effort they had contributed to allowing the members to
experience China first hand. She indicated the main purpose of
the delegation was to discuss energy and climate change, a
pillar of President Obama's policy agenda, with their Chinese
counterparts.




9. (SBU) The Speaker added that she could not imagine the
Shanghai 2010 Expo without a U.S. national pavilion and
indicated she would work with Secretary of State Clinton on U.S.
representation at the Shanghai Expo.




10. (SBU) Participants:




SHANGHAI 00000229 003 OF 004


Chinese Participants



Liu Yungeng, Chairman of Shanghai MPC Standing Committee

Li Zhaoxing, Chairman of NPC Foreign Affairs Committee

Zhou Wenzhong, Chinese Ambassador to the United State

Hu Wei, Vice Chairman of Shanghai MPC Standing Committee

Yao Mingbao, Secretary General of Shanghai MPC Standing Committee

Gan Zhongze, Member of Shanghai MPC Standing Committee and
Chairman of Shanghai NPC Urban Construction and Environment
Protection Committee

Ms. Ying Peiyi, Member of Shanghai MPC Standing Committee and
Chairman of Shanghai MPC Overseas Chinese, Ethnic and Religious
Affairs Committee

Li Mingjun, Director General of Shanghai Municipal Government
Foreign Affairs Office

Ms. Yang Jiaying, Vice Secretary General of Shanghai MPC
Standing Committee

Xu Yi, Deputy Director of Shanghai MPC General Office

Chen Guomin: Minister-Counselor of the Chinese Embassy to the
United States

Peng Fang, Director, General Office of NPC Foreign Affairs
Committee

Xu Dong, Deputy Director, General Office of NPC Foreign Affairs
Committee

Zhao Yong, Deputy Director-General of Foreign Affairs Bureau of
the General Office of NPC Standing Committee

He Shaoren, Deputy Director-General of the Information Bureau of
the General Office of NPC Standing Committee

Cheng Lei, Counselor and Director of Department of North
American and Oceanian Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs



U.S. Participants



Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Mr. Paul Pelosi

Rep. Edward Markey and Dr. Susan Blumenthal

Rep. James Sensenbrenner and Mrs. Cheryl Sensenbrenner

Rep. Earl Blumenauer and son Jon Blumenauer

Rep. Jackie Speier

Acting United States Consul General in Shanghai Simon Schuchat

Professional Staff Members to the Speaker and Representatives

Christopher Beede, Consulate Political and Economic Section
Chief

Christopher Wurzel, Consul (notetaker)

Fei Yuying, Consulate Interpreter




SHANGHAI 00000229 004 OF 004



11. (U) The Speaker's delegation has cleared this message.
SCHUCHAT