Cablegate: Jade in Olympic Medals: Chinese, Not Burmese

VZCZCXRO3233
OO RUEHCN RUEHGH RUEHVC
DE RUEHBJ #7513 3510809
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 170809Z DEC 07
FM AMEMBASSY BEIJING
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4055
INFO RUEHOO/CHINA POSTS COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE

UNCLAS BEIJING 007513

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPT FOR EAP/CM

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV KOLY CH BM
SUBJECT: JADE IN OLYMPIC MEDALS: CHINESE, NOT BURMESE

Olympic medals for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing will
contain domestically produced jade, not jade imported from
Burma, Beijing Organizing Committee of the Olympic Games
Cultural Affairs Unit General Affairs Division Chief Liu Hao
told PolOff December 17. Liu confirmed that the medals would
indeed contain jade, but categorically denied that the jade
would be imported. He said Olympics officials are studying
several locations in China from which to buy the jade, but
have not yet selected a supplier.
RANDT

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