SHANGHAI MAYOR DICUSSES EXPO, POTUS VISIT WITH AMBASSADOR

UNCLAS SHANGHAI 000418 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL SCUL BEXP PINR CH SUBJECT: SHANGHAI MAYOR DICUSSES EXPO, POTUS VISIT WITH AMBASSADOR HUNTSMAN ¶1. (SBU) Summary: Shanghai Mayor HAN Zheng welcomed the upcoming visit by President Obama to Shanghai during an October 14 call by Ambassador Huntsman. The Ambassador outlined the Obama Administration's goal of a "positive, collaborative, and comprehensive" relationship with China and stressed the importance of the upcoming Shanghai Expo in strengthening mutual understanding between the United States and China. Han seconded the Ambassador's observations and expressed hope the President would visit the site of the USA Pavilion at the Expo grounds during his November visit. End summary. ¶2. (SBU) During a brief courtesy call October 14, Shanghai Mayor HAN Zheng reminisced about his meeting with then-Governor Huntsman three years earlier. The Ambassador noted that he had been very impressed both by Shanghai and by Mayor Han himself. He added that the President is looking forward to his visit to China. According to the Ambassador, President Obama has a very realistic view of U.S.-China relations and seeks a positive, collaborative, and comprehensive relationship with China. Currently, the Ambassador observed, U.S.-China relations are in a very positive period of growth and development, and the President will be able to see China's dynamism when he visits in November. Han replied Shanghai is also looking forward to the President's visit. He stressed the numerous connections between the United States and China and Shanghai in particular. Notably, the United States accounts for a quarter of China's global trade, and Shanghai is home to the largest number of U.S.-invested firms in China. ¶3. (SBU) Reviewing his participation earlier in the day in a "topping off" ceremony for the USA Pavilion at the Shanghai Expo site, the Ambassador praised Han for the preparations for next year's World Exposition. He stressed the potential for the Expo to enhance understanding between the United States and China. Han indicated the Shanghai Municipal Government, as the host of the Expo, had closely followed the progress of the various participants, including the United States. The Ambassador's participation in the topping off ceremony demonstrated his support of Expo. Han hoped the USA Pavilion will help to give Chinese a better understanding of American society and culture and extended an invitation for the President to visit the site of the Pavilion during his visit to Shanghai. ¶4. (SBU) Completing the USA Pavilion is a priority for the United States, the Ambassador indicated. He noted Secretary of State Clinton had raised the Shanghai Expo as the first point in his meeting with her, and he predicted the USA Pavilion will attract a large number of visitors. The Ambassador commented that Han's management of the Expo preparations surely could win him awards from MBA schools and asked about plans for the future use of the site. In addition, the Ambassador noted the increasingly global nature of U.S.-China relations that reaches beyond the traditional range of bilateral issues. Shanghai, he observed, is a global city that exemplifies the complexity of China's relations with the United States and the rest of the world. ¶5. (SBU) Han thanked the Ambassador for his support of the Expo as well as the support of the U.S. Government and Secretary Clinton. He indicated the Shanghai authorities will follow the guidance and principles of the Bureau of International Expositions in the arrangements for conversion of the Expo site. The Municipal Government expects to have its final plan for the site in place before the end of the Expo and will be soliciting input from international experts in this effort. Much of the land will be converted into parks, museums, and international meeting facilities, Han said. CAMP