Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09STATE29662
2009-03-27 14:14:00
SECRET//NOFORN
Secretary of State
Cable title:  

(C/NF) HONG KONG: KUDOS AND FOLLOW-UP QUESTIONS

Tags:  PINR PGOV PHUM CH HK MC 
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TED8094
ORIGIN INR-00 

INFO LOG-00 EEB-00 VIN-00 AID-00 AMAD-00 CIAE-00 DNI-00 
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 FBIE-00 VCI-00 H-00 TEDE-00 LAB-01 MOFM-00 MOF-00 
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029662
SOURCE: CBLEXCLS.009133
DRAFTED BY: APLAAT:SAK -- 03/27/2009 703-482-3205
APPROVED BY: INR/OPS:SMCCORMICK
INR/EAP: RSISMANIDIS
EAP/CM: ANICODEMUS
 ------------------487238 271431Z /38 
R 271414Z MAR 09
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO AMEMBASSY BEIJING 
AMCONSUL HONG KONG
S E C R E T STATE 029662 

NOFORN

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/27/2034
TAGS: PINR PGOV PHUM CH HK MC
SUBJECT: (C/NF) HONG KONG: KUDOS AND FOLLOW-UP QUESTIONS
FOR REPORTING ON ARTICLE 23 (C-AL9-00693)

REF: A. HONG KONG 000354

B. HONG KONG 000335

C. HONG KONG 000232

D. HONG KONG 002229

Classified By: SUZANNE MCCORMICK, DIR., INR/OPS. REASON: 1.4(C).

S E C R E T STATE 029662

NOFORN

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/27/2034
TAGS: PINR PGOV PHUM CH HK MC
SUBJECT: (C/NF) HONG KONG: KUDOS AND FOLLOW-UP QUESTIONS
FOR REPORTING ON ARTICLE 23 (C-AL9-00693)

REF: A. HONG KONG 000354

B. HONG KONG 000335

C. HONG KONG 000232

D. HONG KONG 002229

Classified By: SUZANNE MCCORMICK, DIR., INR/OPS. REASON: 1.4(C).


1. (S/NF) WASHINGTON ANALYSTS WANT TO THANK POST FOR AN
EXCELLENT STREAM OF REPORTING ON MACAU'S PASSAGE OF THE
NATIONAL SECURITY BILL AND THE CONCERNS IN HONG KONG OVER
ARTICLE 23 LEGISLATION. ANALYSTS ARE CURRENTLY RESEARCHING
THE POTENTIAL IMPACT OF THE NATIONAL SECURITY BILL'S RECENT
PASSAGE IN MACAU ON THE ARTICLE 23 DEBATE IN HONG KONG, AND
INTEND TO USE REF REPORTING IN A WRITTEN PIECE PLANNED FOR
LATE-APRIL. ANALYSTS OFFER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS TO HELP
GUIDE FUTURE REPORTING, AS TIME AND RESOURCES ALLOW, ON
ARTICLE 23 LEGISLATION IN HONG KONG, AND WOULD GREATLY
APPRECIATE ANY ADDITIONAL INSIGHT FROM POSTS. MANY THANKS,
AND WARM REGARDS FROM WASHINGTON.


A. (C) WHO ARE THE KEY BEIJING AND HONG KONG OFFICIALS
INVOLVED IN HONG KONG'S ARTICLE 23 POLICY PROCESS, AND WHAT
DIFFERENCES EXIST BETWEEN THESE INDIVIDUALS IN REGARDS TO THE
TIMING, SCOPE, ENFORCEMENT, AND ANY OTHER IMPLICATIONS OF ANY
NATIONAL SECURITY LAW IN HONG KONG?


B. (C) WHAT DOES BEIJING VIEW AS THE BENEFITS FROM PASSING
NATIONAL SECURITY LEGISLATION IN HONG KONG?


C. (C) WHAT HONG KONG OR CENTRAL GOVERNMENT AGENCIES, OR
AFFILIATED ORGANIZATIONS, ARE INVOLVED IN THE POLICY PROCESS
RELATED TO ARTICLE 23 LEGISLATION? WHAT IS THE RELATIONSHIP
BETWEEN THESE ENTITIES IN HONG KONG AND THEIR COUNTERPARTS IN
MACAU?


D. (C) WHAT IMPACT HAS MACAU'S PASSAGE OF ITS NEW NATIONAL
SECURITY LAW HAD ON THE GOVERNMENT, PEOPLE, POLITICAL
PARTIES, AND POLITICAL ACTIVISTS IN HONG KONG?


E. (C) WHAT APPROACH IS THE TSANG ADMINISTRATION TAKING TO
ITS CONSTITUTIONAL REQUIREMENT TO PASS NATIONAL SECURITY
LEGISLATION? TO THE EXTENT BEIJING IS ATTEMPTING TO
INFLUENCE THE HONG KONG POLICY DEBATE OVER ARTICLE 23, WHAT
LEVERAGE DOES THE HKSARG HAVE OVER BEIJING IN DETERMINING THE
WAY FORWARD?


F. (C) WHAT WOULD PROMPT BEIJING TO INSIST HONG KONG
HASTILY PASS A NATIONAL SECURITY LAW?


G. (C) WHAT EXISTING HONG KONG LAWS ADDRESS CONCERNS
ASSOCIATED WITH THOSE IN ARTICLE 23 OF THE BASIC LAW? IN
PARTICULAR, HOW WILL NATIONAL SECURITY LEGISLATION IMPACT
FOREIGN GOVERNMENTS' INTERACTION WITH THE HONG KONG
GOVERNMENT OR THEIR ACTIVITIES IN THE HKSAR?


2. (U) PLEASE CITE C-AL9-00693 IN THE SUBJECT LINE OF
REPORTING IN RESPONSE TO THE ABOVE QUESTIONS.
CLINTON