Cable Viewer

Currently released so far... 25416 / 251,287

### Articles

Brazil Sri Lanka United Kingdom Sweden 00. Editorial United States Latin America Egypt Jordan Yemen Thailand

### Browse latest releases

2010/11 2010/12 2011/01 2011/02 2011/03 2011/04 2011/05 2011/06 2011/07 2011/08
2010/11/28 2010/11/29 2010/11/30
2010/12/01 2010/12/02 2010/12/03 2010/12/04 2010/12/05 2010/12/06 2010/12/07 2010/12/08 2010/12/09 2010/12/10 2010/12/11 2010/12/12 2010/12/13 2010/12/14 2010/12/15 2010/12/16 2010/12/17 2010/12/18 2010/12/19 2010/12/20 2010/12/21 2010/12/22 2010/12/23 2010/12/24 2010/12/25 2010/12/26 2010/12/27 2010/12/28 2010/12/29 2010/12/30
2011/01/01 2011/01/02 2011/01/04 2011/01/05 2011/01/07 2011/01/09 2011/01/11 2011/01/12 2011/01/13 2011/01/14 2011/01/15 2011/01/16 2011/01/17 2011/01/18 2011/01/19 2011/01/20 2011/01/21 2011/01/22 2011/01/23 2011/01/24 2011/01/25 2011/01/26 2011/01/27 2011/01/28 2011/01/29 2011/01/30 2011/01/31
2011/02/01 2011/02/02 2011/02/03 2011/02/04 2011/02/05 2011/02/06 2011/02/07 2011/02/08 2011/02/09 2011/02/10 2011/02/11 2011/02/12 2011/02/13 2011/02/14 2011/02/15 2011/02/16 2011/02/17 2011/02/18 2011/02/19 2011/02/20 2011/02/21 2011/02/22 2011/02/23 2011/02/24 2011/02/25 2011/02/26 2011/02/27 2011/02/28
2011/03/01 2011/03/02 2011/03/03 2011/03/04 2011/03/05 2011/03/06 2011/03/07 2011/03/08 2011/03/09 2011/03/10 2011/03/11 2011/03/13 2011/03/14 2011/03/15 2011/03/16 2011/03/17 2011/03/18 2011/03/19 2011/03/20 2011/03/21 2011/03/22 2011/03/23 2011/03/24 2011/03/25 2011/03/26 2011/03/27 2011/03/28 2011/03/29 2011/03/30 2011/03/31
2011/04/01 2011/04/02 2011/04/03 2011/04/04 2011/04/05 2011/04/06 2011/04/07 2011/04/08 2011/04/09 2011/04/10 2011/04/11 2011/04/12 2011/04/13 2011/04/14 2011/04/15 2011/04/16 2011/04/17 2011/04/18 2011/04/19 2011/04/20 2011/04/21 2011/04/22 2011/04/23 2011/04/24 2011/04/25 2011/04/26 2011/04/27 2011/04/28 2011/04/29 2011/04/30
2011/05/01 2011/05/02 2011/05/03 2011/05/04 2011/05/05 2011/05/06 2011/05/07 2011/05/08 2011/05/09 2011/05/10 2011/05/11 2011/05/12 2011/05/13 2011/05/14 2011/05/15 2011/05/16 2011/05/17 2011/05/18 2011/05/19 2011/05/20 2011/05/21 2011/05/22 2011/05/23 2011/05/24 2011/05/25 2011/05/26 2011/05/27 2011/05/28 2011/05/29 2011/05/30 2011/05/31
2011/06/01 2011/06/02 2011/06/03 2011/06/04 2011/06/05 2011/06/06 2011/06/07 2011/06/08 2011/06/09 2011/06/10 2011/06/11 2011/06/12 2011/06/13 2011/06/14 2011/06/15 2011/06/16 2011/06/17 2011/06/18 2011/06/19 2011/06/20 2011/06/21 2011/06/22 2011/06/23 2011/06/24 2011/06/25 2011/06/26 2011/06/27 2011/06/28 2011/06/29 2011/06/30
2011/07/01 2011/07/02 2011/07/04 2011/07/05 2011/07/06 2011/07/07 2011/07/08 2011/07/10 2011/07/11 2011/07/12 2011/07/13 2011/07/14 2011/07/15 2011/07/16 2011/07/17 2011/07/18 2011/07/19 2011/07/20 2011/07/21 2011/07/22 2011/07/23 2011/07/25 2011/07/27 2011/07/28 2011/07/29 2011/07/31
2011/08/01 2011/08/02 2011/08/03 2011/08/05 2011/08/06 2011/08/07 2011/08/08 2011/08/09 2011/08/10 2011/08/11 2011/08/12 2011/08/13 2011/08/15 2011/08/16 2011/08/17 2011/08/18 2011/08/19 2011/08/21 2011/08/22 2011/08/23

### Browse by creation date

66 72 73 75 79 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10
1966/12
1972/02 1972/08
1973/04
1975/03
1979/08
1985/03 1985/05 1985/06
1986/05 1986/08 1986/12
1987/06
1988/01 1988/03 1988/04 1988/07 1988/08 1988/09 1988/12
1989/01 1989/06 1989/12
1990/01 1990/07 1990/08 1990/10
1991/05 1991/06 1991/07 1991/11
1992/01 1992/03 1992/06 1992/09 1992/11 1992/12
1993/01 1993/02 1993/04 1993/10 1993/12
1994/05 1994/11 1994/12
1995/01 1995/04 1995/06 1995/11
1996/07 1996/08 1996/09 1996/11
1997/02 1997/03 1997/05 1997/06 1997/08 1997/10 1997/11 1997/12
1998/05 1998/12
1999/01 1999/09 1999/12
2000/04 2000/05 2000/06 2000/09 2000/11 2000/12
2001/02 2001/03 2001/04 2001/05 2001/06 2001/07 2001/09 2001/10 2001/11 2001/12
2002/01 2002/02 2002/03 2002/04 2002/06 2002/07 2002/08 2002/09 2002/11 2002/12
2003/01 2003/02 2003/03 2003/04 2003/05 2003/06 2003/07 2003/08 2003/09 2003/10 2003/11 2003/12
2004/01 2004/02 2004/03 2004/04 2004/05 2004/06 2004/07 2004/08 2004/09 2004/10 2004/11 2004/12
2005/01 2005/02 2005/03 2005/04 2005/05 2005/06 2005/07 2005/08 2005/09 2005/10 2005/11 2005/12
2006/01 2006/02 2006/03 2006/04 2006/05 2006/06 2006/07 2006/08 2006/09 2006/10 2006/11 2006/12
2007/01 2007/02 2007/03 2007/04 2007/05 2007/06 2007/07 2007/08 2007/09 2007/10 2007/11 2007/12
2008/01 2008/02 2008/03 2008/04 2008/05 2008/06 2008/07 2008/08 2008/09 2008/10 2008/11 2008/12
2009/01 2009/02 2009/03 2009/04 2009/05 2009/06 2009/07 2009/08 2009/09 2009/10 2009/11 2009/12
2010/01 2010/02

### Browse by origin

A B C D F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z
Embassy Athens Embassy Asuncion Embassy Astana Embassy Asmara Embassy Ashgabat Embassy Apia Embassy Ankara Embassy Amman Embassy Algiers Embassy Addis Ababa Embassy Accra Embassy Abuja Embassy Abu Dhabi Embassy Abidjan Consulate Auckland Consulate Amsterdam Consulate Alexandria Consulate Adana American Institute Taiwan, Taipei
Embassy Bujumbura Embassy Buenos Aires Embassy Budapest Embassy Bucharest Embassy Brussels Embassy Bridgetown Embassy Bratislava Embassy Brasilia Embassy Bogota Embassy Bishkek Embassy Bern Embassy Berlin Embassy Belmopan Embassy Belgrade Embassy Beirut Embassy Beijing Embassy Banjul Embassy Bangkok Embassy Bandar Seri Begawan Embassy Bamako Embassy Baku Embassy Baghdad Consulate Belfast Consulate Barcelona
Embassy Copenhagen Embassy Conakry Embassy Colombo Embassy Chisinau Embassy Caracas Embassy Canberra Embassy Cairo Consulate Curacao Consulate Ciudad Juarez Consulate Chiang Mai Consulate Chennai Consulate Chengdu Consulate Casablanca Consulate Cape Town Consulate Calgary
Embassy Dushanbe Embassy Dublin Embassy Doha Embassy Djibouti Embassy Dili Embassy Dhaka Embassy Dar Es Salaam Embassy Damascus Embassy Dakar Consulate Dubai Consulate Dhahran
Embassy Freetown Consulate Fukuoka
Embassy Guatemala Embassy Gaborone Consulate Guayaquil Consulate Guangzhou Consulate Guadalajara
Embassy Helsinki Embassy Harare Embassy Hanoi Consulate Hong Kong Consulate Ho Chi Minh City Consulate Hermosillo Consulate Hamilton Consulate Hamburg Consulate Halifax
Iran RPO Dubai Embassy Islamabad Consulate Izmir Consulate Istanbul
Embassy Jakarta Consulate Jerusalem Consulate Jeddah
Embassy Kyiv Embassy Kuwait Embassy Kuala Lumpur Embassy Kinshasa Embassy Kingston Embassy Kigali Embassy Khartoum Embassy Kathmandu Embassy Kampala Embassy Kabul Consulate Kolkata Consulate Karachi
Embassy Luxembourg Embassy Luanda Embassy London Embassy Ljubljana Embassy Lisbon Embassy Lima Embassy Lilongwe Embassy Libreville Embassy La Paz Consulate Lahore Consulate Lagos
Mission USOSCE Mission USNATO Mission UNESCO Mission Geneva Embassy Muscat Embassy Moscow Embassy Montevideo Embassy Monrovia Embassy Minsk Embassy Mexico Embassy Mbabane Embassy Maseru Embassy Maputo Embassy Manila Embassy Manama Embassy Managua Embassy Malabo Embassy Madrid Consulate Munich Consulate Mumbai Consulate Montreal Consulate Monterrey Consulate Milan Consulate Melbourne Consulate Matamoros
Embassy Nouakchott Embassy Nicosia Embassy Niamey Embassy New Delhi Embassy Ndjamena Embassy Nassau Embassy Nairobi Consulate Nuevo Laredo Consulate Naples Consulate Naha Consulate Nagoya
Embassy Ouagadougou Embassy Ottawa Embassy Oslo
Embassy Pristina Embassy Pretoria Embassy Prague Embassy Port Of Spain Embassy Port Louis Embassy Port Au Prince Embassy Phnom Penh Embassy Paris Embassy Paramaribo Embassy Panama Consulate Peshawar
Embassy Quito Consulate Quebec
REO Basrah Embassy Rome Embassy Riyadh Embassy Riga Embassy Reykjavik Embassy Rangoon Embassy Rabat Consulate Rio De Janeiro Consulate Recife
Secretary of State Embassy Suva Embassy Stockholm Embassy Sofia Embassy Skopje Embassy Singapore Embassy Seoul Embassy Sarajevo Embassy Santo Domingo Embassy Santiago Embassy Sanaa Embassy San Salvador Embassy San Jose Consulate Strasbourg Consulate St Petersburg Consulate Shenyang Consulate Shanghai Consulate Sapporo Consulate Sao Paulo
Embassy Tunis Embassy Tripoli Embassy Tokyo Embassy The Hague Embassy Tel Aviv Embassy Tehran Embassy Tegucigalpa Embassy Tbilisi Embassy Tashkent Embassy Tallinn Consulate Toronto Consulate Tijuana Consulate Thessaloniki
USUN New York USEU Brussels US Office Almaty US Mission Geneva US Interests Section Havana US Delegation, Secretary UNVIE UN Rome Embassy Ulaanbaatar
Embassy Vilnius Embassy Vientiane Embassy Vienna Embassy Vatican Embassy Valletta Consulate Vladivostok Consulate Vancouver
Embassy Windhoek Embassy Wellington Embassy Warsaw
Embassy Yerevan Embassy Yaounde
Embassy Zagreb

### Browse by tag

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
ASEC AEMR AMGT AR APECO AU AORC AJ AF AFIN AS AM ABLD AFFAIRS AMB APER AA AE ADM ACOA AID ASEAN AMED AORG APEC AY AL AGOA ATRN AG ALOW AND ADB ABUD ASPA ADPM ADANA AFSI ARABL ADCO AFSN ACABQ AO ANARCHISTS AZ ANET AMEDCASCKFLO AADP AGRICULTURE AINT ARR ARF AINF APRC AFSA AX AINR AODE APCS AROC AGAO ASUP AIT ARCH AEMRASECCASCKFLOMARRPRELPINRAMGTJMXL AMEX ARM AQ ATFN AMBASSADOR ARAS ACBAQ AC AOPR AREP ASIG ASEX ASCE AER AGR AVERY ASCH AEMRS AFU AMG ATPDEA ASECKFRDCVISKIRFPHUMSMIGEG AORL AN AGMT ACS AMCHAMS AECL AUC AFGHANISTAN ACAO
BR BB BG BEXP BY BA BRUSSELS BU BD BK BL BE BMGT BO BTIO BX BC BH BM BN BAIO BUSH BRPA BILAT BF BOEHNER BOL BIDEN BP BURNS BBG BBSR BT BWC BEXPC BTIU
CPAS CA CASC CS CBW CIDA CO CODEL CI CROS CU CH CWC CMGT CVIS CDG CG CF CHIEF CJAN CBSA CE CY CB CW CM CHR CD CT CTERR CVR CDC CN CONS CR CAMBODIA CACS COUNTRY CFIS CONDOLEEZZA CEN CZ CLEARANCE CARICOM COM CICTE CYPRUS CITES CV CBE CMGMT COE CIVS CFED COUNTER CAPC COPUOS CARSON CTR CKGR CLINTON COUNTERTERRORISM CITEL CQ CSW CIC CITT CARIB CAFTA CACM CDB CJUS CTM CAN CAJC CONSULAR CLMT CBC CIA CNARC CIS CEUDA CHINA CAC CL
DR DJ DB DA DHS DAO DCM DO DEFENSE DK DOMESTIC DISENGAGEMENT DAC DOD DCG DE DOT DPRK DEPT DEA DOE DTRA DS DEAX
ECON ETTC EFIS ETRD EC EMIN EAGR EAID EFIN EUN ECIN EG EWWT EINV ENRG ELAB EPET EN EAIR EUMEM ECPS ES ELTN EIND EZ EU EI ER ET EINT ENGR ECONOMIC ENIV EFTA ESTH EET EUREM ENV EAG EAP ECONOMY ELECTIONS ETRO ECIP EPEC EXIM ERNG ENERG ED EREL ELAM EK EDEV ENGY ETRDEC ECCT EPA ENGRD ECLAC ETRAD ENVR ELTNSNAR ELAP ETRC EPIT EDUC EFI EEB EETC EIVN ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS ETRDGK ENVI EXTERNAL ELN EAIDS ECOSOC EDU EPREL EINVEFIN EAGER ECA ETMIN EIDN EINVKSCA EFINECONCS ETC EINN EXBS ECONOMICS EIAR EINDETRD ECONEFIN EURN ETRDEINVTINTCS EFIM EINVETC ECONCS EDRC ENRD EBRD ETRA ESA EAIG EUR EUC ERD ETRN EINVECONSENVCSJA EEPET EUNCH ESENV ENNP ECINECONCS ETRDECONWTOCS ECUN
FR FI FOREIGN FAO FARM FARC FAS FJ FREEDOM FINANCE FBI FTAA FM FCS FAA FTA FK FT FAC FDA FINR FOR FOI FO FMLN FISO
GM GERARD GT GA GG GR GTIP GE GH GY GB GJ GLOBAL GEORGE GCC GC GV GAZA GL GOV GOI GF GTMO GANGS GAERC GZ GUILLERMO GASPAR
HR HA HYMPSK HO HK HUMAN HU HN HHS HUD HUMANR HSTC HURI HILLARY HI HUM HEBRON HUMOR
IZ IN IAEA IS IMO ILO IR IC IT ITU IV IMF IBRD IWC IPR IDB ID IRAQI ISRAELI ITALY ITPGOV ITALIAN IADB ICAO ICRC INR ICJ ICCAT IFAD IO ITRA INL IAHRC IRAQ INMARSAT INRA INTELSAT INTERNAL ILC IRS INDO IIP IND IEFIN IQ ISCON ICTY IA INTERPOL IEA INRB ISRAEL IZPREL IRAJ IF ITPHUM IL IACI IDA ISLAMISTS IGAD ITF INRO IBET IDP ICTR IRC
JA JO JM JP JOHN JUS JN JAMES JOSEPH JOHNNIE JML JIMENEZ
KMDR KPAO KOMC KNNP KFLO KDEM KSUM KIPR KFLU KE KCRM KJUS KAWC KZ KSCA KDRG KCOR KGHG KPAL KTIP KMCA KCRS KPKO KOLY KRVC KVPR KG KWBG KTER KS KN KSPR KWMN KV KTFN KFRD KSTH KISL KGIC KSEP KFIN KTEX KTIA KUNR KCMR KMOC KCIP KTDB KBIO KSAF KU KHIV KNNNP KSTC KNUP KIRF KIRC KNUC KHLS KTDD KMPI KIDE KMFO KSEO KJUST KPIR KIVP KICC KCFE KSCS KGLB KPWR KCUL KPOP KPALAOIS KR KTTB KCOM KESS KWN KCSY KREL KTBT KRFD KFLOA KPOL KIND KBCT KSKN KOCI KHUM KPRP KREC KICCPUR KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG KGIT KMCC KPRV KAUST KPAS KPAOPREL KIRP KLAB KHSA KPAONZ KICA KCRIM KHDP KNAR KSAC KCRCM KINR KGHA KIIP KPAOY KTRD KTAO KWAC KACT KSCI KNPP KMRS KNNPMNUC KBTS KERG KLTN KTLA KNDP KO KAWK KVRP KPOA KVIR KENV KAID KX KRCM KFSC KCFC KNEI KCHG KPLS KFTFN KTFM KLIG KDEMAF KRIM KRAD KBTR KGCC KPA KSEC KPIN KDEV KWWMN KOM KWNM KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG KRGY KIFR KWMNCS KFPC KPAK KOMS KDDG KCGC KPAI KID KMIG KNSD KWMM
LY LE LABOR LH LAB LTTE LT LO LI LU LA LVPR LG LR LOG
MARR MX MASS MOPS MNUC MCAP MTCRE MRCRE MTRE MASC MY MK MCC MO MAS MG MC MCA MZ MI MIL MU MR MT MTCR ML MN MURRAY MEPP MP MINUSTAH MA MD MAR MAPP MOPPS MTS MLS MILI MEPN MEPI MEETINGS MERCOSUR MW MIK MAPS MV MILITARY MARAD MDC MACEDONIA MASSMNUC MUCN MEDIA MQADHAFI MPOS MPS
NZ NATO NI NO NU NG NL NPT NS NSF NP NA NANCY NRR NATIONAL NASA NC NDP NIH NIPP NK NSSP NEGROPONTE NGO NAS NE NATOIRAQ NR NAR NZUS NARC NCCC NH NSG NAFTA NEW NT NUIN NOVO NATOPREL NEA NSC NV NPA NSFO NW NORAD NPG NOAA
OPRC OTRA OECD OVIP OREP ODC OIIP OPDC OAS OSCE OPIC OMS OEXC OPCW OIE OSCI OFDP OPAD ODPC OCEA ODIP OMIG OM OFFICIALS OEXP OPEC OVIPPRELUNGANU OSHA OSIC OHUM OTR OSAC OBSP OFDA OVP ON OCII OES OCS OIC
PGOV PREL PARM PINR PHUM PM PREF PTER PK PINS PBIO PHSA PE PBTS PA PL POL PAK POV POLITICS POLICY PKO PNAT PELOSI PP PRE PUNE PALESTINIAN PAS PO PROV PH PLAB PCI PERM PETR PRELBR PETERS PROP PBS POLITICAL PMIL PJUS PG PREZ PGIC PAO PRELPK PGOVENRG PATTY PGOVEAIDUKNOSWGMHUCANLLHFRSPITNZ PAIGH PROG PMAR PU PTE PDOV PGOVSOCI PY PETER PGOR PBTSRU PRAM PARMS PINL PSI PPA PTERE PREO PERL PGOF PINO PRGOV PORG PS PGVO PKFK PSOE PEPR PDEM PINT PRELP PREFA PNG PTBS PFOR PGOVLO PHUMBA POLINT PGOVE PHALANAGE PARTY PECON PLN PHUH PEDRO PF PHUS PARTIES PCUL PGGV PSA PGOVSMIGKCRMKWMNPHUMCVISKFRDCA PGIV PHUMPREL POGOV PEL PBT PINF PRL PSEPC POSTS PAHO PHUMPGOV PGOC PNR
QA QI
RS RP RU RW RFE RCMP RIGHTSPOLMIL RO ROBERT RM ROOD RICE REGION RGY RELFREE RELAM RSP RF RELATIONS RIGHTS RUPREL REMON RPEL REACTION REPORT RSO
SZ SENV SOCI SNAR SO SP SU SY SI SMIG SYR SA SCUL SW SR SYRIA SNARM SPECIALIST SG SF SENS SEN SENVEAGREAIDTBIOECONSOCIXR SN SC SECRETARY SNA ST SK SL SANC SMIL SCRM SENVSXE SE SAARC STEINBERG SCRS SWE SARS SENVQGR SNARIZ SUDAN SAN SM SIPDIS SFNV SSA SPCVIS SOFA SENVKGHG SHI SEVN SHUM SH SNARCS SPCE SNARN SIPRS
TW TRGY TBIO TSPA TU TPHY TI TX TH TIP TSPL TNGD TS TRSY TC TINT TZ TN TT TR TA TIO TF TK TRAD TNDG TWI TD TWL TERRORISM TL TV TP THPY TO TURKEY TSPAM TREL TRT TFIN TAGS TWCH TBID
UK UNSC UNGA UN US UZ USEU UG UP UNAUS UNMIK USTR UY UNSCR UNRCR UNESCO USAID UNHRC USAU UNICEF UV USPS UNFICYP UNDP UNCITRAL UNHCR UNCSD UNEP USCC UNMIC UNTAC USUN USDA UNCHR UR UNCTAD USGS UNFPA USOAS USNC UA UE UNVIE UAE UNO UNODC UNCHS UNDESCO UNC UNPUOS UNDC UNCHC UNFCYP UNIDROIT UNCND
VM VE VT VZ VEPREL VN VTEG VOA VTIZ VTPREL VISIT VENZ VAT VC VI
WHTI WIPO WTRO WTO WHO WEET WCL WFP WS WHA WA WZ WI WMD WBG WILLIAM WWARD WITH WTRQ WCO WEU WMO WB
XA XX XK XL XM XS XF XR XY XG XT XI XE XW XC XH XD XU XV XB XZ XQ XTAG
YI YM YE YL YMCS
ZU ZI ZOELLICK ZP ZR ZK ZA ZO ZF ZL ZB ZN ZH ZT ZJ ZEALAND ZANU

### Browse by classification

CONFIDENTIAL CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN SECRET SECRET//NOFORN UNCLASSIFIED UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

### Community resources

Follow us on Twitter Check our Reddit Twitter this Digg this page Contact us on IRC

courage is contagious

### Viewing cable 06GUANGZHOU13550, UPS One Year On: Despite Bumps in the Road, Big

If you are new to these pages, please read an introduction on the structure of a cable as well as how to discuss them with others. See also the FAQs
Understanding cables
Every cable message consists of three parts:

- The top box shows each cables unique reference number, when and by whom it originally was sent, and what its initial classification was.
- The middle box contains the header information that is associated with the cable. It includes information about the receiver(s) as well as a general subject.
- The bottom box presents the body of the cable. The opening can contain a more specific subject, references to other cables (browse by origin to find them) or additional comment. This is followed by the main contents of the cable: a summary, a collection of specific topics and a comment section.

To understand the justification used for the classification of each cable, please use this WikiSource article as reference.
Discussing cables
If you find meaningful or important information in a cable, please link directly to its unique reference number. Linking to a specific paragraph in the body of a cable is also possible by copying the appropriate link (to be found at theparagraph symbol). Please mark messages for social networking services like Twitter with the hash tags #cablegate and a hash containing the reference ID e.g. #06GUANGZHOU13550.

Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin
--- | --- | --- | --- | ---
06GUANGZHOU13550 | 2006-04-28 06:21 | 2011-08-23 00:00 | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | Consulate Guangzhou

`

    VZCZCXRO1688
    RR RUEHAG RUEHCHI RUEHCN RUEHDF RUEHDT RUEHGH RUEHHM RUEHIK RUEHLZ
    RUEHNH
    DE RUEHGZ #3550/01 1230405
    ZNR UUUUU ZZH
    R 280621Z APR 06 ZDK CTG NUM SVCS
    FM AMCONSUL GUANGZHOU
    TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 6827
    INFO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 6828
    RUEHOO/CHINA POSTS COLLECTIVE
    RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE
    RUCNASE/ASEAN MEMBER COLLECTIVE
    RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHDC
    RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
    RUEKJCS/DIA WASHDC
    RHHMUNA/HQ USPACOM HONOLULU HI

` `

    UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 04 GUANGZHOU 013550

    SIPDIS

    SENSITIVE
    SIPDIS

    STATE FOR EB, R, EAP/CM, EAP/PD, DRL
    STATE PASS USTR - STRATFORD, CELICO
    USDOC FOR 4420/ITA/MAC/MCQUEEN, DAS LEVINE
    USPACOM FOR FPA

    E.O. 12958: N/A

    TAGS: EAIR ETRD WTRO ECON CH

    SUBJECT: UPS One Year On:  Despite Bumps in the Road, Big
    Brown Is Not Blue

    GUANGZHOU 00013550  001.3 OF 004

    (U) THIS DOCUMENT IS SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED.  PLEASE
    PROTECT ACCORDINGLY.  NOT FOR RELEASE OUTSIDE U.S.
    GOVERNMENT CHANNELS.  NOT FOR INTERNET PUBLICATION.

    A) 05 GUANGZHOU 038410; B) GUANGZHOU 05379; C) GUANGZHOU
    010672; D) 05 Guangzhou 018283

    ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: UPS officials recently discussed their
    experiences in South China as the company reaches its one
    year anniversary of direct cargo services between Guangzhou
    and the United States.  Its China operation now wholly
    owned, company officials are generally positive but raised
    WTO-related concerns about the lack of transparency in
    government decisions and lawmaking, slow and onerous
    licensing requirements, and proposed changes to the labor
    and postal system laws.  Despite these worries -- as well as
    some not-too-subtle hints from local officials about moving
    their hub from Shanghai to Guangzhou -- our interlocutors
    remain relatively upbeat about their experiences in South
    China and about the potential that lies ahead.  End Summary.

    ¶2. (SBU) The Consul General and Econoffs recently met with
    Ken Torok, President of UPS Asia Pacific; Richard Loi,
    Senior Vice President, Asia Pacific Region China District;
    and Xiang Feng, Senior Manager for Public Affairs, China.
    The UPS officials requested the meeting so that Torok, who
    was visiting from Singapore, could meet discuss UPS'
    experiences in South China over the last year.  It was at
    approximately this time last year that UPS began to offer
    direct cargo service between Guangzhou and the United
    States, via Anchorage, which was the first non-stop air
    service by a U.S. air carrier between Guangzhou and the
    United States (ref A).

    One Year Later -- Going it Alone
    --------------------------------

    ¶3. (SBU) UPS originally entered the China market in 1988 in
    partnership with SinoTrans, a state-owned enterprise.  After
    Chinese law was changed to allow wholly-owned foreign
    companies, UPS announced in late December 2004, however,
    that it was going to take direct control of its
    international express operations in China's largest cities
    by the end of 2005 -- essentially buying out Sino Trans.
    UPS also planned to open offices in five major cities
    (Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Tianjin, and Qingdao) and
    expand to more than 20 other cities.  This newfound
    independence, however, may be bringing some unintended
    consequences for UPS.  Torok described how one of the
    toughest hurdles UPS faces in China -- the licensing process
    -- is not a requirement for the thousands of local courier
    companies which compete with UPS in the same markets.

    The Licensing Hurdle: Misery Loves Company?
    -------------------------------------------

    ¶4. (SBU) Torok described how, despite the fact that UPS now
    operates express delivery services in 23 cities, each time
    the company applies for a new license to operate, it has to
    basically start anew.  He commented that to open a UPS
    retail store, the company needs to obtain a new and
    different license, even if the retail store is co-located
    with the delivery office, and that this process is as much
    work as opening an entire new city to UPS delivery services.

    ¶5. (SBU) Econoffs mentioned that these restrictions were a
    common occurrence in other service industries such as
    banking and insurance (refs B and C.)  We noted that
    officials from these industries are anxiously looking toward
    11 December 2006, after which time China's five-year WTO
    transition period will end and foreign service industries
    should theoretically be able to operate on the same terms as
    their domestic counterparts.  We explained that
    representatives from those industries have told us about
    similar frustrations at breaking into domestic markets due
    to administrative hurdles such as the licensing regulation.

    GUANGZHOU 00013550  002.3 OF 004

    (Note:  Other service industry officials have told us how a
    long application process to open a new branch allows local
    governments to control the speed of expansion, and how
    intangible administrative measures, such as having
    additional capital requirements for each and every license,
    push up the expansion costs for foreign competitors.  End
    Note.)  The Consul General mentioned the Chinese concern
    with the social and economic consequences of opening up the
    market to foreign competitors too quickly, a factor that is
    undoubtedly influencing Chinese decisions on the issue.

    Serious Concerns About Proposed Labor Law:
    A French Model in the Works?  Bad News.
    -------------------------------------------

    ¶6. (SBU) The conversation then turned to a discussion of the
    draft of a proposed labor law, which many observers see as a
    mis-guided government attempt to offer more protection to
    workers, many of whom have been displaced during China's
    vast economic reforms.  Critics -- among them many Western
    multinational companies who are voicing their concerns to
    the government via the protective cover of business
    associations -- have said the draft new law will severely
    limit employers' flexibility to hire and fire employees;
    gives unions considerable input over personnel decisions;
    requires excessive severance payments in certain cases; and
    bans service agreements which allow temporary employment.
    The temporary worker provision converts temporary workers to
    fully-vested workers after a short time of working
    temporarily for a company.  The target date to finish the
    draft legislation is 2007 and the legislation is currently
    open for public comment.

    The Government as Union
    -----------------------

    ¶7. (SBU) Torok commented rhetorically that under his
    interpretation of this new law, labor unions would not be
    necessary because the government would take their place with
    the provisions of this proposed law.  The Consul General
    commented, and Torok readily agreed, that perhaps rather
    than "reinventing the wheel" with a new law, a better
    approach would be for China to simply enforce its current
    labor laws, which most experts find to be quite
    comprehensive, at least on paper.

    ¶8. (SBU) Loi commented that in his experience, UPS employees
    are happy working for UPS without labor union representation
    because the company respects them and meets their needs.
    Loi continued that the company celebrates holidays and
    cultural events with its employees; for example, giving
    employees moon cakes during the Mid-Autumn festival.  He
    commented that he has heard that Taiwan companies in
    particular, take advantage of their workers, paying only the
    minimum wage, despite requiring overtime work.  He opined
    that the growing number of labor protests attests to the
    fact that there are many workers who are unhappy with their
    employers.

    No Express Delivery of New Postal Law, But Concerns Remain
    --------------------------------------------- -------------

    ¶9. (SBU) The discussion then turned to efforts to rework
    China's postal law.  (Note:  China has been working to
    reform its existing postal law, enacted in 1986, for more
    than seven years.  Drafting of the reform package began in
    2003, but the law became bogged down by the slow pace of the
    amendment process.  In the meantime, many foreign companies,
    such as UPS, remain concerned about the possible impact of a
    new law on their business.  End Note.)  Torok said that
    while he was somewhat heartened by a statement that Vice
    Premier Wu Yi made during the April 11 Joint Commission on
    Commerce and Trade (JCCT) meeting in Washington, DC, -- in
    which she reportedly said that the regulatory environment
    for express services for foreign companies would not be
    negatively effected by new rules, including by postal reform

    GUANGZHOU 00013550  003.3 OF 004

    -- UPS still has several concerns about the new law.  These
    include:  the universal postal fund, which UPS sees as a
    form of double taxation; the law's definition of a monopoly,
    with which UPS does not agree; a proposal to make the State
    Postal Bureau (SPB) a regulator for the whole industry --
    since the SPB is a direct competitor UPS would like to see
    an independent regulator; and the treatment given to
    domestic firms, which UPS believes comes at the expense of
    foreign companies and would violate WTO national treatment
    rules.

    ¶10. (SBU) One example Torok provided highlighted several
    concerns at once.  While the central government has declined
    to provide firms with copies of the draft laws, UPS has
    managed to acquire an unofficial copy.  Torok explained that
    as he understands it, the 7th draft of the law allows
    foreign companies to only provide express services, which
    the industry regulator (i.e. its competition, the China
    Post) would define, presumably in a way that would suit its
    own business needs.  Torok explained that UPS has heard from
    its sources that the Chinese government may have decided to
    discard this point because it violates WTO, but he said UPS
    does not know for sure -- underscoring a complaint he made
    earlier about how the companies that will be affected by the
    new law have little knowledge about the decision making
    process and no opportunity to comment on it.

    ¶11. (SBU) Torok noted that according to another senior UPS
    official, postal reform may be put on hold, however, as
    Chinese legislative priorities have reportedly changed and
    postal reform is less of a priority.  It has reportedly been
    pushed into the background by a new interest in promoting a
    limited partnership law.  According to this UPS official,
    the draft postal law is not yet out of the State Council and
    it is uncertain if it will go to the National People's
    Congress by the end of the year.

    ¶12. (SBU) Econoff addressed Torok's concerns about the SPB
    becoming the industry regulator by noting that if past
    experience in the banking and insurance industries is any
    indication, the Chinese government may recognize that this
    is a conflict of interest.  In both of those industries, the
    initial plan was to use regulators who were direct
    competitors in the industry.  However, the Chinese realized
    the problems inherent in this plan and eventually separated
    the functions.

    So Now That You Are Here, When Are You Moving Your Hub?
    Guangzhou Hints at Favors
    --------------------------------------------- ----------

    ¶13. (SBU) Torok noted that as part of his visit to Guangzhou
    he was making the rounds to call on various Chinese
    officials.  Torok commented that when meeting with the
    Guangzhou Party Secretary General and with one of the Vice
    Mayors, he was asked with the bluntness characteristic of
    many Chinese officials "so when are you moving your China
    hub from Shanghai to Guangzhou?"  (Note:  This was in
    obvious reference to the July 2005 deal Fedex signed to
    establish its Asia Pacific hub at Guangzhou's Baiyun Airport
    (ref D) -- a coup for local officials considering the
    estimated USD 60 billion economic benefit the hub will bring
    to the region.  End Note.)  Officials noted that some
    current frictions -- slowness in licensing and Customs
    clearances and additional fees (see below) that UPS objects
    to -- could all be dealt with if UPS would move its
    headquarters to Guangzhou.  Torok replied that Guangdong
    Province is UPS' operational headquarters, and the company
    is continually injecting more money here -- more than USD
    100 million this year alone, in part due to capital
    requirements for new licenses.  Torok also met with the Vice
    President of the Baiyun Airport Authority, with whom he
    raised concerns about additional fees UPS must pay their
    handling agent for ground handling inside their own express
    handling unit and fees due to stationing of government
    officials within the building -- fees UPS does not pay

    GUANGZHOU 00013550  004.3 OF 004

    anywhere else in the world.

    Comment: Speed Bumps Not Bad but Not Fair
    -----------------------------------------

    ¶14. (SBU) Despite the issues of concern that Torok raised
    during the meeting, he was, on the whole, upbeat about UPS'
    experiences thus far in South China.  The opening of the
    logistics and postal express markets under China's WTO
    accession agreement acted as a strong lure for UPS to come
    into South China, and this lucrative market is still very
    much within UPS' sights.  UPS officials are seasoned
    businesspeople who seem to understand that there will be
    bumps on the delivery route, but that once UPS can overcome
    these speed bumps, a vast market anxious to take delivery of
    UPS' professional services lies ahead.  Nonetheless, UPS
    believes China should keep to the spirit of the WTO rules
    and let competition flourish without putting obstacles in
    its way.

    DONG

`