Cablegate: Hkgqs Aviation Services Negotiator Michael Wong

VZCZCXRO7904
RR RUEHCN RUEHGH
DE RUEHHK #4449 3180738
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 140738Z NOV 06
FM AMCONSUL HONG KONG
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9456
RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHDC
INFO RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 9753
RUEHGZ/AMCONSUL GUANGZHOU 0192
RUEHGH/AMCONSUL SHANGHAI
RUEHCN/AMCONSUL CHENGDU 0952
RUEHSH/AMCONSUL SHENYANG 3425
RUEHIN/AIT TAIPEI 4214

UNCLAS HONG KONG 004449

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EAP/CM
STATE FOR EB/TRA/AN ENGLE
COMMERCE FOR ITA/ALFORD

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAIR ECON HK
SUBJECT: HKGQs Aviation Services Negotiator Michael Wong
Responds To Tom Engle

REF: HONG KONG 4122

1. Post received letter from Economic Development and
Labor Bureau Deputy Secretary Michael Wong on November 9
responding to EB/TRA/AN Director Tom EngleQs October 2
letter expressing the United StatesQ interest in advancing
the U.S. - Hong Kong civil aviation relationship (see
reftel).

2. The text of Michael WongQs letter follows:

Begin Text.

Dear Mr. Engle

Thank you for your letter of 2 October 2006, which was
conveyed to us by your colleagues at the U.S. Consulate
General at a meeting on 12 October 2006.

We have taken note of your interest in seeking the further
liberalization of the current Hong Kong/U.S. bilateral air
services arrangement. If I may observe as someone who is
new to the scene, the current arrangement is already one of
the most liberal bilateral arrangements that Hong Kong has
reached with its aviation partners. In considering further
room for development, we will look at the commercial
opportunities that the arrangement is providing to the
airlines of the two sides, and, ensure that it does so on a
fair and equitable basis.

In view of your interest and given the time that has lapsed
since the discussions between our predecessors in 2005 over
the proposals to further liberalize the Hong Kong / U.S.
air services arrangement, which are obviously out of date
by now, we will proceed to consult our airlines on their
latest views regarding the existing arrangement and
ascertain their requests. That process will take some time
and we will get back to you once we are ready. In the
meantime, if you have any specific proposal to make after
your fresh examination of the U.S.Q position, please do not
hesitate to let us know.

With Warmest Regards,
Yours sincerely,

Michael Wong

End Text.

CUNNINGHAM

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