

Currently released so far... 51122 / 251,287
Articles
Brazil
Sri Lanka
United Kingdom
Sweden
00. Editorial
United States
Latin America
Egypt
Jordan
Yemen
Thailand
Browse latest releases
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
2011/08/24
Browse by creation date
Browse by origin
Embassy Athens
Embassy Asuncion
Embassy Astana
Embassy Asmara
Embassy Ashgabat
Embassy Apia
Embassy Antananarivo
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
Embasy Bonn
Embassy Bujumbura
Embassy Buenos Aires
Embassy Budapest
Embassy Bucharest
Embassy Brussels
Embassy Bridgetown
Embassy Brazzaville
Embassy Bratislava
Embassy Brasilia
Embassy Bogota
Embassy Bishkek
Embassy Bern
Embassy Berlin
Embassy Belmopan
Embassy Belgrade
Embassy Beirut
Embassy Beijing
Embassy Banjul
Embassy Bangui
Embassy Bangkok
Embassy Bandar Seri Begawan
Embassy Bamako
Embassy Baku
Embassy Baghdad
Consulate Belfast
Consulate Barcelona
Embassy Cotonou
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
DIR FSINFATC
Consulate Dusseldorf
Consulate Durban
Consulate Dubai
Consulate Dhahran
Embassy Guatemala
Embassy Grenada
Embassy Georgetown
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
Embassy Kyiv
Embassy Kuwait
Embassy Kuala Lumpur
Embassy Kolonia
Embassy Kinshasa
Embassy Kingston
Embassy Kigali
Embassy Khartoum
Embassy Kathmandu
Embassy Kampala
Embassy Kabul
Consulate Krakow
Consulate Kolkata
Consulate Karachi
Embassy Luxembourg
Embassy Lusaka
Embassy Luanda
Embassy London
Embassy Lome
Embassy Ljubljana
Embassy Lisbon
Embassy Lima
Embassy Lilongwe
Embassy Libreville
Embassy La Paz
Consulate Leipzig
Consulate Lahore
Consulate Lagos
Mission USOSCE
Mission USNATO
Mission UNESCO
Mission Geneva
Embassy Muscat
Embassy Moscow
Embassy Montevideo
Embassy Monrovia
Embassy Mogadishu
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 Merida
Consulate Melbourne
Consulate Matamoros
Consulate Marseille
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 Pristina
Embassy Pretoria
Embassy Praia
Embassy Prague
Embassy Port Of Spain
Embassy Port Moresby
Embassy Port Louis
Embassy Port Au Prince
Embassy Podgorica
Embassy Phnom Penh
Embassy Paris
Embassy Paramaribo
Embassy Panama
Consulate Peshawar
REO Hillah
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 Surabaya
Consulate Strasbourg
Consulate St Petersburg
Consulate Shenyang
Consulate Shanghai
Consulate Sapporo
Consulate Sao Paulo
Embassy Tunis
Embassy Tripoli
Embassy Tokyo
Embassy Tirana
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
USMISSION USTR GENEVA
USEU Brussels
US Office Almaty
US Mission Geneva
US Mission CD 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
Browse by tag
AMGT
ASEC
AEMR
AR
APECO
AU
AORC
ADANA
AJ
AF
AFIN
AMED
AS
AM
ABLD
AFFAIRS
AMB
APER
ACOA
AND
AA
AE
AADP
AID
AO
AL
AG
AORD
ADM
AINF
AINT
ASEAN
AORG
ABT
APEC
AY
ASUP
ARF
AGOA
AVIAN
ATRN
ANET
AGIT
ASECVE
ABUD
AODE
ALOW
ADB
AN
ADPM
ASPA
ARABL
AFSN
AZ
AC
AIAG
AFSI
ASCE
ASIG
ACABQ
ADIP
AFGHANISTAN
AROC
ADCO
ACOTA
ANARCHISTS
AMEDCASCKFLO
AK
ARABBL
ASCH
ANTITERRORISM
AGRICULTURE
AOCR
ARR
ASSEMBLY
AORCYM
AFPK
ACKM
AGMT
AEC
APRC
AIN
AFPREL
ASFC
ASECTH
AFSA
AINR
AOPC
AFAF
AFARI
AX
ASECAF
ASECAFIN
AT
AFZAL
APCS
AGAO
AIT
ARCH
AEMRASECCASCKFLOMARRPRELPINRAMGTJMXL
AMEX
ARM
AQ
ATFN
AMBASSADOR
AORCD
AVIATION
ARAS
AINFCY
ACBAQ
AOPR
AREP
AOIC
ASEX
ASEK
AER
AGR
AMCT
AVERY
APR
AEMRS
AFU
AMG
ATPDEA
ASECKFRDCVISKIRFPHUMSMIGEG
AORL
ACS
AMCHAMS
AECL
AUC
ACAO
BA
BR
BB
BG
BEXP
BY
BRUSSELS
BU
BD
BTIO
BK
BL
BE
BMGT
BO
BM
BX
BN
BWC
BBSR
BTT
BC
BH
BILAT
BUSH
BHUM
BT
BTC
BMENA
BOND
BAIO
BP
BF
BRPA
BURNS
BUT
BBG
BCW
BOEHNER
BOL
BASHAR
BIDEN
BFIN
BZ
BEXPC
BTIU
CPAS
CA
CASC
CS
CBW
CIDA
CO
CODEL
CI
CROS
CU
CH
CWC
CMGT
CVIS
CDG
CTR
CG
CF
CHIEF
CJAN
CBSA
CE
CY
CB
CW
CM
CHR
CD
COE
CV
COUNTER
CT
CN
CPUOS
CTERR
CVR
CVPR
CDC
COUNTRY
CLEARANCE
CONS
COM
CACS
CR
CONTROLS
CAN
CACM
COMMERCE
CAMBODIA
CFIS
COUNTERTERRORISM
CITES
CONDOLEEZZA
CZ
CTBT
CEN
CLINTON
CFED
CARC
CTM
CARICOM
CSW
CICTE
CYPRUS
CBE
CMGMT
CARSON
CWCM
CIVS
COUNTRYCLEARANCE
CENTCOM
CAPC
COPUOS
CKGR
CITEL
CQ
CITT
CIC
CARIB
CVIC
CAFTA
CVISU
CDB
CEDAW
CNC
CJUS
COMMAND
CENTER
COL
CAJC
CONSULAR
CLMT
CBC
CIA
CNARC
CIS
CEUDA
CHINA
CAC
CL
DR
DJ
DEMOCRATIC
DEMARCHE
DOMESTIC
DISENGAGEMENT
DB
DA
DHS
DAO
DCM
DAVID
DO
DEAX
DEFENSE
DEA
DTRO
DPRK
DOC
DTRA
DK
DAC
DOD
DRL
DRC
DCG
DE
DOT
DEPT
DOE
DS
DKEM
ECON
ETTC
EFIS
ETRD
EC
EMIN
EAGR
EAID
EFIN
EUN
ECIN
EG
EWWT
EINV
ENRG
ELAB
EPET
EIND
EN
EAIR
EUMEM
ECPS
ES
EI
ELTN
ET
EZ
EU
ER
EINT
ENGR
ECONOMIC
ENIV
EFTA
ETRN
EMS
EUREM
EPA
ESTH
EEB
EET
ENV
EAG
EXIM
ECTRD
ELNT
ENVIRONMENT
ECA
EAP
EINDIR
ETR
ECONOMY
ETRC
ELECTIONS
EICN
EXPORT
EARG
EGHG
EID
ETRO
EINF
EAIDHO
ECIP
EENV
EURM
EPEC
ERNG
ENERG
EIAD
EXBS
ED
EREL
ELAM
EK
EWT
ENGRD
EDEV
ECE
ENGY
EXIMOPIC
ETRDEC
ECCT
EUR
ENRGPARMOTRASENVKGHGPGOVECONTSPLEAID
EFI
ECOSOC
EXTERNAL
ESCAP
ETCC
EENG
ERA
ENRD
ECLAC
ETRAD
EBRD
ENVR
ECONENRG
ELTNSNAR
ELAP
EPIT
EDUC
EAIDXMXAXBXFFR
EETC
EIVN
EDRC
EGOV
ETRA
EAIDRW
ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS
ESA
ETRDGK
ENVI
ELN
EPRT
EPTED
ERTD
EUM
EAIDS
EFINECONEAIDUNGAGM
EDU
EV
EAIDAF
EDA
EPREL
EINVEFIN
EAGER
ETMIN
EUCOM
ECCP
EIDN
EINVKSCA
ENNP
EFINECONCS
ETC
EAIRASECCASCID
EINN
ETRP
ECONOMICS
ENERGY
EIAR
EINDETRD
ECONEFIN
EURN
ETRDEINVTINTCS
EFIM
ETIO
EATO
EIPR
EINVETC
ETTD
ETDR
EIQ
ECONCS
ENRGIZ
EAIG
ENTG
EUC
ERD
EINVECONSENVCSJA
EEPET
EUNCH
ESENV
ECINECONCS
ETRDECONWTOCS
ECUN
FR
FI
FOREIGN
FARM
FIR
FAO
FK
FARC
FAS
FJ
FREEDOM
FAC
FINANCE
FBI
FTAA
FM
FCS
FAA
FORCE
FDA
FTA
FT
FCSC
FMGT
FINR
FIN
FDIC
FOR
FOI
FO
FMLN
FISO
GM
GERARD
GT
GA
GG
GR
GTIP
GH
GZ
GE
GB
GY
GAZA
GJ
GEORGE
GOI
GCC
GMUS
GI
GLOBAL
GV
GC
GL
GOV
GKGIC
GF
GWI
GIPNC
GUTIERREZ
GTMO
GANGS
GAERC
GUILLERMO
GASPAR
HR
HA
HYMPSK
HO
HK
HUMAN
HU
HN
HHS
HURI
HUD
HUMRIT
HUMANITARIAN
HUMANR
HL
HSTC
HILLARY
HCOPIL
HADLEY
HOURANI
HI
HUM
HEBRON
HUMOR
IZ
IN
IAEA
IS
IMO
ILO
IR
IC
IT
ITU
ID
IV
IMF
IBRD
IWC
ICAO
ICRC
INF
IO
IPR
ISO
IK
ISRAELI
IQ
ICES
IDB
INFLUENZA
IRAQI
ISCON
IGAD
IRAN
ITALY
IRAQ
ICTY
ICTR
ITPGOV
ITALIAN
IQNV
IADB
INTERNAL
INMARSAT
IRDB
ILC
INCB
INRB
ICJ
ISRAEL
INR
IEA
ISPA
ICCAT
IOM
ITRD
IHO
IL
IFAD
ITRA
IDLI
ISCA
INL
INRA
INTELSAT
ISAF
ISPL
IRS
IEF
ITER
INDO
IIP
IND
IEFIN
IACI
IAHRC
INNP
IA
INTERPOL
IFIN
ISSUES
IZPREL
IRAJ
IF
ITPHUM
ITA
IP
IRPE
IDA
ISLAMISTS
ITF
INRO
IBET
IDP
IRC
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
KU
KSTC
KSTH
KISL
KGIC
KSEP
KFIN
KTEX
KTIA
KUNR
KCMR
KCIP
KMOC
KTDB
KBIO
KBCT
KMPI
KSAF
KACT
KFEM
KPRV
KPWR
KIRC
KCFE
KRIM
KHIV
KHLS
KVIR
KNNNP
KCEM
KLIG
KIRF
KNUP
KSAC
KNUC
KPGOV
KTDD
KIDE
KOMS
KLFU
KNNC
KMFO
KSEO
KJRE
KJUST
KMRS
KSRE
KGIT
KPIR
KPOA
KUWAIT
KIVP
KICC
KSCS
KPOL
KSEAO
KRCM
KSCI
KNAP
KGLB
KICA
KCUL
KPRM
KFSC
KQ
KPOP
KPFO
KPALAOIS
KREC
KBWG
KR
KTTB
KNAR
KCOM
KESS
KINR
KOCI
KWN
KCSY
KREL
KTBT
KFTN
KW
KRFD
KFLOA
KHDP
KNEP
KIND
KHUM
KSKN
KOMO
KDRL
KTFIN
KSOC
KPO
KGIV
KSTCPL
KSI
KPRP
KFPC
KNNB
KNDP
KICCPUR
KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KDMR
KFCE
KIMMITT
KMCC
KMNP
KSEC
KOMCSG
KGCC
KRAD
KCRP
KAUST
KWAWC
KCHG
KRDP
KPAS
KTIAPARM
KPAOPREL
KWGB
KIRP
KMIG
KLAB
KSEI
KHSA
KNPP
KPAONZ
KWWW
KGHA
KY
KCRIM
KCRCM
KGCN
KPLS
KIIP
KPAOY
KTRD
KTAO
KJU
KBTS
KWAC
KFIU
KNNO
KPAI
KILS
KPA
KRCS
KWBGSY
KNPPIS
KNNPMNUC
KNPT
KERG
KLTN
KPREL
KTLA
KO
KAWK
KVRP
KAID
KX
KENV
KWCI
KNPR
KCFC
KNEI
KFTFN
KTFM
KCERS
KDEMAF
KMEPI
KEMS
KBTR
KEDU
KIRL
KNNR
KMPT
KPDD
KPIN
KDEV
KFRP
KTBD
KMSG
KWWMN
KWBC
KA
KOM
KWNM
KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KRGY
KNNF
KICR
KIFR
KWMNCS
KPAK
KDDG
KCGC
KID
KNSD
KMPF
KWMM
MARR
MX
MASS
MOPS
MNUC
MCAP
MTCRE
MRCRE
MTRE
MASC
MY
MK
MG
MU
MILI
MO
MZ
MEPP
MCC
MEDIA
MOPPS
MI
MAS
MW
MP
MEPN
MV
MD
MR
MC
MCA
MT
MIL
MARITIME
MOPSGRPARM
MAAR
MOOPS
ML
MA
MN
MNUCPTEREZ
MTCR
MUNC
MPOS
MONUC
MGMT
MURRAY
MACP
MINUSTAH
MCCONNELL
MGT
MNUR
MF
MEPI
MOHAMMAD
MAR
MAPP
MNU
MFA
MTS
MLS
MEETINGS
MERCOSUR
MED
MNVC
MIK
MBM
MILITARY
MAPS
MARAD
MDC
MACEDONIA
MASSMNUC
MUCN
MQADHAFI
MPS
NZ
NATO
NI
NO
NU
NG
NL
NPT
NS
NA
NP
NASA
NSF
NEA
NANCY
NSG
NRR
NATIONAL
NMNUC
NC
NSC
NAS
NARC
NELSON
NATEU
NDP
NIH
NK
NIPP
NR
NERG
NSSP
NE
NTDB
NT
NEGROPONTE
NGO
NATOIRAQ
NAR
NZUS
NCCC
NH
NAFTA
NEW
NRG
NUIN
NOVO
NATOPREL
NV
NICHOLAS
NPA
NSFO
NW
NORAD
NPG
NOAA
OPRC
OPDC
OTRA
OECD
OVIP
OREP
ODC
OIIP
OAS
OSCE
OPIC
OMS
OFDP
OFDA
OEXC
OPCW
OIE
OSCI
OM
OPAD
ODPC
OIC
ODIP
OPPI
ORA
OCEA
OREG
OMIG
OFFICIALS
OSAC
OEXP
OPEC
OFPD
OAU
OCII
OIL
OVIPPRELUNGANU
OSHA
OPCD
OPCR
OF
OFDPQIS
OSIC
OHUM
OTR
OBSP
OGAC
OESC
OVP
ON
OES
OTAR
OCS
PREL
PGOV
PARM
PINR
PHUM
PM
PREF
PTER
PK
PINS
PBIO
PHSA
PE
PBTS
PA
PL
POL
PAK
POV
POLITICS
POLICY
PO
PRELTBIOBA
PKO
PIN
PNAT
PU
PGOVPREL
PALESTINIAN
PTERPGOV
PELOSI
PAS
PP
PTEL
PROP
PRELAF
PRHUM
PRE
PUNE
PIRF
PVOV
PROG
PERSONS
PROV
PKK
PRGOV
PH
PLAB
PDEM
PCI
PRL
PRM
PINSO
PERM
PETR
PPAO
PERL
PBS
PETERS
PRELBR
PCON
POLITICAL
PMIL
POLM
PKPA
PNUM
PLO
PTERM
PJUS
PARMP
PNIR
PHUMKPAL
PG
PREZ
PGIC
PAO
PROTECTION
PRELPK
PGOVENRG
PATTY
PSOC
PARTIES
PGOVEAIDUKNOSWGMHUCANLLHFRSPITNZ
PMIG
PAIGH
PARK
PETER
PHUS
PKPO
PGOVECON
POUS
PMAR
PWBG
PAR
PGOVGM
PHUH
PTE
PY
POLUN
PDOV
PGOVSOCI
PGOVPM
PRELEVU
PGOR
PBTSRU
PHUMA
PHUMR
PPD
PGV
PRAM
PARMS
PINL
PSI
PKPAL
PPA
PTERE
PGOF
PINO
PREO
PHAS
PAC
PRESL
PORG
PS
PGVO
PKFK
PSOE
PEPR
PINT
PRELP
PREFA
PNG
PTBS
PFOR
PGOVLO
PHUMBA
PREK
PHJM
POLINT
PGOVE
PHALANAGE
PARTY
PECON
PEACE
PROCESS
PLN
PEDRO
PF
PGPV
PCUL
PGGV
PSA
PGOVSMIGKCRMKWMNPHUMCVISKFRDCA
PGIV
PHUMPREL
POGOV
PEL
PBT
PAMQ
PINF
PSEPC
POSTS
PAHO
PHUMPGOV
PGOC
PNR
RS
RP
RU
RW
RFE
RCMP
RIGHTSPOLMIL
REFORM
RO
ROW
ROBERT
REACTION
REPORT
REGION
RELATIONS
RAY
ROBERTG
RIGHTS
RM
RATIFICATION
RREL
RBI
RICE
ROOD
REL
RODHAM
RGY
RUEHZO
RELIGIOUS
RELFREE
RUEUN
RELAM
RSP
RF
REO
REGIONAL
RUPREL
RI
REMON
RPEL
RSO
SCUL
SENV
SOCI
SZ
SNAR
SO
SP
SU
SY
SI
SMIG
SYR
SA
SW
SF
SR
SYRIA
SNARM
START
SPECIALIST
SG
SNIG
SCI
SGWI
SE
SIPDIS
SANC
SELAB
SN
SETTLEMENTS
SCIENCE
SENVENV
SENS
SPCE
SPAS
SECURITY
SENC
SOCIETY
SOSI
SENVEAGREAIDTBIOECONSOCIXR
SEN
SPECI
ST
SL
SENVCASCEAIDID
SC
SECRETARY
STR
SNA
SOCIS
SADC
SEP
SK
SHUM
SYAI
SMIL
STEPHEN
SNRV
SKCA
SENSITIVE
SECI
SCUD
SCRM
SGNV
SECTOR
SAARC
SENVSXE
SWMN
STEINBERG
SOPN
SOCR
SCRS
SWE
SARS
SNARIZ
SUDAN
SENVQGR
SAN
SM
SFNV
SSA
SPCVIS
SOFA
SCULKPAOECONTU
SENVKGHG
SHI
SEVN
SH
SNARCS
SNARN
SIPRS
TBIO
TW
TRGY
TSPA
TU
TPHY
TI
TX
TH
TIP
TSPL
TNGD
TZ
TS
TC
TK
TURKEY
TERRORISM
TPSL
TINT
TRSY
TERFIN
TPP
TT
TECHNOLOGY
TE
TAGS
TRAFFICKING
TJ
TN
TO
TD
TP
TREATY
TR
TA
TIO
TECH
TF
TRAD
TNDG
TWI
TPSA
TWL
TAUSCHER
TRBY
TL
TV
THPY
TSPAM
TREL
TRT
TNAR
TFIN
TWCH
THOMMA
THOMAS
TERROR
TRY
TBID
UK
UNESCO
UNSC
UNGA
UN
US
UZ
USEU
UG
UP
UNAUS
UNMIK
USTR
UY
USUN
UNEP
UNDC
UV
UNPUOS
UNSCR
USAID
UNODC
UNRCR
UNHCR
UNDP
UNCRIME
UA
UNHRC
UNRWA
UNO
UNCND
UNCHR
USAU
UNICEF
USPS
UNOMIG
UNESCOSCULPRELPHUMKPALCUIRXFVEKV
UR
UNFICYP
UNCITRAL
UNAMA
UNVIE
USTDA
USNC
UNCSD
USCC
UNEF
UNGAPL
USSC
UNMIC
UNTAC
UNCLASSIFIED
USDA
UNCTAD
USGS
UNFPA
UNSE
USOAS
UE
UAE
UNCHS
UNDESCO
UNC
UNSCS
UKXG
UNGACG
UNHR
UNBRO
UNCHC
UNFCYP
UNIDROIT
WHTI
WIPO
WTRO
WHO
WTO
WMO
WFP
WEET
WS
WE
WA
WHA
WBG
WILLIAM
WI
WSIS
WCL
WEBZ
WZ
WW
WWBG
WMD
WWT
WMN
WWARD
WITH
WTRQ
WCO
WEU
WB
WBEG
Browse by classification
Community resources
courage is contagious
Viewing cable 08SHANGHAI446, U.S. TRAVEL INDUSTRY CONCERNS ON IMPLEMENTATION OF
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.
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. #08SHANGHAI446.
Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin |
---|---|---|---|---|
08SHANGHAI446 | 2008-10-17 09:12 | 2011-08-23 00:00 | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | Consulate Shanghai |
VZCZCXRO7915
PP RUEHCN RUEHGH
DE RUEHGH #0446/01 2910912
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 170912Z OCT 08
FM AMCONSUL SHANGHAI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 7249
INFO RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 2202
RUEHHK/AMCONSUL HONG KONG 1629
RUEHGZ/AMCONSUL GUANGZHOU 1444
RUEHCN/AMCONSUL CHENGDU 1473
RUEHSH/AMCONSUL SHENYANG 1465
RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 0388
RUEHIN/AIT TAIPEI 1267
RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHINGTON DC
RHEHAAA/NSC WASHINGTON DC
RUEHGH/AMCONSUL SHANGHAI 7841
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 07 SHANGHAI 000446
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EAP/CM, CA/VO-MEYERH, EEB/CIP
STATE PASS USTR FOR STRATFORD/WINTER/KATZ
USDOC FOR ITA - DAS KASOFF, DAS AGUEVARA, NMELCHER, HMARANO,
IHILL
TREASURY FOR OASIA-CUSHMAN, WINSHIP, HAARSAGER
NSC FOR LOI
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON CVIS PREL BEXP ETRD KIPR CH
SUBJECT: U.S. TRAVEL INDUSTRY CONCERNS ON IMPLEMENTATION OF
U.S.-CHINA TOURISM MOU
(U) Sensitive but unclassified. Not for dissemination outside
USG channels; not for Internet distribution.
¶1. (SBU) Summary: During August and September 2008 Shanghai
Commercial Officer visited with executives of several U.S.
travel and tourism firms active in the China outbound tourism
market. Each of the executives expressed concern with recent
trends in China's outbound tourism to the U.S. subsequent to the
implementation of the U.S. - China Tourism MOU signed in
December 2007. Each of the executives stated that National Tour
Association-approved inbound operators or receptives in the
United States are not realizing the benefits of a post-MOU
increase in Chinese tour groups to the U.S. The executives
attributed this to unfair actions on the part of the Chinese
outbound tourism industry and unapproved actors in the U.S.
market. Shanghai Consular Section Chief and NIV head
acknowledged problems in MOU visa implementation and offered
suggestions for solutions. End Summary.
Background
----------
¶2. (SBU) In December 2007 the China National Tourism
Administration (CNTA) and the U.S. Department of Commerce signed
The Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the
People's Republic of China and the Government of the United
States of America to Facilitate Outbound Tourist Group Travel
from China to the United State. The MOU allowed Chinese leisure
travelers to travel to the United States in group tours. China
had previously not allowed its travel industry to organize or
promote group leisure tours to the U.S. U.S. destination
marketing organizations (DMOs) and travel firms had also been
prohibited from promoting their states, cities or regions in
China. The MOU removed those restrictions. The MOU was
implemented on June 17, 2008, with an inaugural tour to
Washington, D.C. led by CNTA Chairman Shao Qiwei.
¶3. (SBU) Since China's opening up to the outside world
beginning thirty years ago, China has had a special policy to
control and monitor outbound tourism, its Approved Destination
Status (ADS) system. China negotiated bilateral ADS agreements
with other governments to allow Chinese tour operators to
organize tours to the counterpart country while the counterpart
government allowed Chinese tourists to travel into its territory
with a special group ADS visa. As of 2008 China has ADS
agreements with over 100 nations. The ADS system allows China to
manage and monitor the flow of outbound tourism and hard
currency. China controls the flow by two means:
* Chinese tour operators are not allowed to organize or
promote group leisure tours to foreign destinations unless that
destination country has signed an ADS agreement with China
* Foreign tour operators are not allowed to promote their
services in China or open a representative office in China
unless their country has an ADS agreement with China.
¶4. (SBU) Nonetheless, China and the U.S. were able to negotiate
a unique tourism agreement as embodied in the 2007 MOU. While
the agreement includes some aspects of the standard ADS
agreement, it is not an ADS agreement and does not commit the
U.S. to issuing group visas to Chinese citizens. The media and
tourism industries both inside and outside of China often,
erroneously, refer to the MOU as an ADS agreement.
¶5. (SBU) Another aspect of the ADS system that the U.S. was
unwilling to accept was China's insistence that the counterpart
country designate certain travel firms within its territory that
would be allowed to accept ADS tours from China. Government
selection of only certain firms to benefit from the tour
business, while common practice in China, is contrary to the
free market principles of the U.S.
¶6. (SBU) The negotiators settled upon a unique solution to
China's desire to limit the inbound operators in the U.S. that
could accept Chinese tour groups. The U.S. Department of
SHANGHAI 00000446 002 OF 007
Commerce would accept applications from travel organizations in
the U.S. that were interested in vetting their membership for
those firms capable of servicing Chinese tour groups. The first
successful applicant, the National Tour Association (NTA),
agreed to create a list of member firms willing to meet certain
criteria such as on-staff Mandarin-speaking tour guides. The
resulting list of firms is known commonly as the "NTA's approved
list." Chinese outbound tour operators are required in the
agreement to work with U.S. inbound tour operators and firms on
this NTA list.
¶7. (U) On the China side the key regulator for tourism services
is the China National Tourism Administration (CNTA), the Chinese
government authority responsible for the development and
regulation of tourism in the country. CNTA does not have the
authority of a full department within the Chinese government but
in other respects acts as a ministry. Provincial CNTA offices in
each Chinese province report to the central CNTA in Beijing.
CNTA has several overseas offices called CNTO (China National
Tourism Offices) that are charged with promoting tourism to
China. CNTA is unique as a tourism promotion agency in that it
is also responsible for controlling the outflow of tourists from
China abroad.
¶8. (U) CNTA licenses Chinese travel agencies to operate in up
to three categories; Class 1: outbound international; Class 2:
inbound international and Class 3: domestic only. Approximately
800 travel agencies in China have a Class 1 license and are
legally able to offer outbound tours.
¶9. (SBU) Licenses to operate outbound travel agencies in China
are so difficult to obtain that the license is itself a
commodity. Some people obtain a license through connections and
then rent out their "regional travel departments" to others who
actually carry on the travel business. Some of the largest
players in the Chinese outbound travel industry therefore don't
show up on the CNTA's list of licensed travel agencies. In
Chinese they are known as heima or "black horses" - the real
players behind the scene.
Tourism from China to the United States
---------------------------------------
¶10. (U) As envisioned by the United States, the Tourism MOU was
designed to open up the Chinese outbound travel market to the
U.S. travel industry and boost the numbers of Chinese tourists
visiting the U.S. The U.S. Department of Commerce's Office of
Travel and Tourism Industries reports that January to June 2008
year-to-date arrivals from China (including Hong Kong) grew 33
percent to 305,654. According to the UN World Tourism
Organization (UNWTO), China is the fastest growing travel market
in the world. By 2020, China will become the world's fourth
largest source of tourists. The U.S. Department of Commerce
estimates that Chinese visitors to the United States will reach
579,000 by 2011. On average, Chinese citizens spend more during
their stay than visitors from most countries. In 2006, the
average per visitor spending by Chinese citizens traveling to
the United States was more than $6,000. Travel and tourism is
the top service export for the United States and has produced a
travel balance of trade surplus since 1989.
U.S. Inbound Operators Report No Increase in Tourists from China
--------------------------------------------- -------------------
¶11. (SBU) Commercial Officer spoke with seven U.S. inbound
operators on the new NTA-approved list. Every one of the
operators reported that they are yet to see any new business
from China in 2008. One agency head reported that the one
Chinese agency he had spoken to demanded 90-days credit -
unusual terms in an industry where consumers pay in advance for
the travel package.
¶12. (SBU) Three Los Angeles travel agencies with long histories
in the Chinese-language tour market reported no increase in
SHANGHAI 00000446 003 OF 007
clients from China over last year's numbers. One reported that
they are focusing on tour groups from the USA going to China
because of problems getting visas for their China clients.
NTA-Approved Receptive Services Being Cherry-picked
by Chinese Travel Agencies
--------------------------------------------- ------
¶13. (SBU) One large American-owned travel firm in Hong Kong
reported that since June 2008 they have been approached by a
number of Chinese outbound tour operators with requests for
quotes on only the hotel and transportation portions of
standardized tour itineraries. The Chinese indicated that they
were providing the tour guides and interpreters themselves. The
American firm has been unwilling to quote for only cherry-picked
portions of these tour packages because their understanding is
that NTA-approved inbound operators such as themselves are
responsible for the entire inbound tour package and thus for
anything that goes wrong with the tour. Without being in
control of the inbound package in its entirety the American firm
feels they run the risk of violating the terms of the MOU and of
losing their NTA-approved status. Other U.S. tour agencies
Commercial Officer spoke with confirmed that they have been
approached in the same manner. Some declined to quote because
they believed it would violate the MOU. Others quoted but
failed to get the business because their prices were too high.
Unlicensed Chinese Outbound Operators Bypassing CNTA Licensing
System
--------------------------------------------- ------------------
¶14. (SBU) Sources within the Chinese travel industry as well as
the Consular Section in Shanghai report that Chinese travel
agencies not licensed by the China National Tourism
Administration (CNTA) for outbound sales are going through
CNTA-licensed outbound operators to make Group Leisure Travel
(GLT) appointments at U.S. Consular Sections in China. The
licensed operators charge the unlicensed operators a fee for
providing this service. This is similar to the common practice
in China of licensed travel agencies illegally subleasing their
license out to one or more unlicensed agencies.
¶15. (SBU) Although the unlicensed agencies are allowed to book
their tour groups into the general group interview slots the
agencies prefer the GLT slots because there is a perception
among the Chinese agencies that the GLT slots are expedited,
prestigious and more likely to result in approvals. However,
records in Shanghai Consular indicate that approval percentages
are actually higher during the general group interview slots.
¶16. (SBU) According to China's regulations, U.S. and other
foreign travel agencies are not allowed to offer outbound travel
services to Chinese citizens. This outbound business is
reserved only for Chinese travel agencies licensed by CNTA.
However, foreign travel agencies have skirted these Chinese
restrictions on foreign firms by arranging partnerships with
licensed Chinese agencies.
Consular Services Facilitation of Group Tours and
MOU Implementation
--------------------------------------------- ----
¶17. (SBU) Contrary to perceptions among most Chinese travel
agents and citizens, U.S. Consular Service offices in China were
facilitating group travel to the United States long before the
December 2007 Tourism MOU was signed. While visa applicants
have always had to qualify on an individual basis, Consular
Services has long set aside General Group Interview slots for
groups, including tour groups.
¶18. (SBU) After the MOU was signed in 2007 Consular Affairs in
China created an additional category of interview slots known as
Group Leisure Travel (GLT) slots. These were set aside
exclusively for CNTA-licensed outbound travel agencies and
operators. However, the Consular Section in Shanghai reports
that fewer than 50 percent of the GLT slots have been utilized
SHANGHAI 00000446 004 OF 007
to date and plans are to cut back on the number of GLT interview
slots. The Consular Section in Beijing also reported
under-utilization of GLT slots.
¶19. (SBU) Consular Shanghai reports that Chinese travel
agencies not on the CNTA-approved outbound operator list can
continue to book their tour groups into the General Interview
slots. Consular Shanghai reports that in August 2008 they
processed 16,000 visa cases and issued 13,000 visas, refusing
2300 (about 16 percent). Shanghai also reports that they are
issuing about 90 percent of visa applicants once pending
documentation and/or re-interviews are taken into consideration.
Shanghai has the highest rate of visa issuance among posts in
China.
¶20. (SBU) Consular Shanghai reports that non-CNTA-approved
travel agencies using the General Interview slots have a higher
visa issuance success rate (90 percent) than do the
CNTA-approved agencies (80 percent) using the GLT slots. In
August there were 300 interviews in the GLT category and about
2000 in the General Group Interview category.
Large Deposits Required by Chinese Travel Agencies Impede Travel
--------------------------------------------- -------------------
¶21. (SBU) In practice, almost all Chinese travel agencies
require large monetary deposits from their clients before they
can begin their overseas trip. The deposit is returned to them
upon their return to China. Deposit amounts vary by
destination. Travelers must deposit around US$7,000 for
Australia, US$7,000-14,000 for Europe and US$14,000-21,000 for
travel to the USA. Clients need to deposit cash 5-15 days in
advance of their travel day or 10 days in advance for a bank
check. The tourist can collect the deposit with the receipt and
passport one week after returning to China.
¶22. (SBU) Commercial Officer has been told by several Chinese
travelers that they were under the impression that the deposits
were required by the visa-issuing embassies and consulates. In
reality, the large deposits are demanded by the travel agencies
both as an incentive for the traveler to return and as a large
revolving fund that travel agencies can use to earn interest at
banks or use to play the stock market. Since the travel
agencies handle the visa applications for their clients the
deposit is also used to discourage clients from canceling their
tour or switching to another agency after they get their visa.
¶23. (SBU) The controversial deposits are a frequent topic on
Internet chat rooms in China. Tourists are very unhappy with
the deposits but it is an invisible rule among outbound travel
agencies and there seems little that the consumers can do. One
Chinese agency that advertised that no deposit was required
found their shop windows smashed. China has no law governing
tour deposits. CNTA authorities know this is a problem but have
done nothing to change the situation.
Inbound Market in California Dominated by Brokers and Shops
--------------------------------------------- --------------
¶24. (SBU) According to "ABC," the American-owned travel firm in
Hong Kong, many Chinese outbound operators are bypassing the NTA
Approved List and contracting directly with new entrants into
the U.S. tourism industry - China-based tour brokers and
shopping firms in California and elsewhere. The shopping firms
in turn contract with hotels, bus companies and other suppliers.
ABC's investigation of the market found that these shopping
firms operate without indemnities, insurance, and other
safeguards that are required by U.S. law.
¶25. (SBU) The Chinese outbound tour operator with a tour group
in hand will go to the Chinese tour broker or inbound receptive
agency which in turn shops the tour group around to the shopping
firms (shops). The shop that will offer the cheapest price will
be awarded the business. Shops make bids based on a "per head"
basis - the average rate per head in Los Angeles is currently
$60 per-head. The shop then contracts the hotel, bus and tour
guide. This amounts to an outsourcing of the entire receptive
SHANGHAI 00000446 005 OF 007
agency function. The receptive agency has essentially become a
broker taking the spread between what the Chinese outbound
operator offers them (about $70 per head) and what the shops
offer them ($60 per head) for the tour group.
¶26. (SBU) ABC went to a number of the shops in Southern
California and found that they were located off of the main
streets in industrial and residential areas. Signage was absent
or low-key and in many cases it was not apparent from the
exterior that the buildings housed shops. The tour buses
typically parked some distance from the shops. Once inside, the
American travel executive discovered that the shops were stocked
almost exclusively with pirated and knockoff products. This
included famous brand shirts with a "made in USA" label sewn in,
replica basketball uniforms, luxury brand watches and cosmetics,
all obvious fakes to the trained eye according to ABC. Some
legitimate but mass-market brand cosmetics and vitamins were
being sold at highly inflated prices (up to ten times normal
price).
¶27. (SBU) This practice mimics a common practice among tour
agencies in China where tours are often comprised of repeated
stops at stores where the tour operator receives a kickback for
a percentage of goods purchased by their tour guests.
¶28. (SBU) The result of turning ultimate responsibility for the
tour group over to these shops is that the tourists spend much
of their time being herded into secluded shops where they are
encouraged, sometimes pressured, into buying overpriced
knockoffs instead of enjoying the tour of the United States they
thought they were buying. The Chinese tourists victimized by
this system are not having a quality experience and are probably
returning to China with a very sub-optimal impression of the
United States.
¶29. (SBU) This system bypasses much of the legitimate U.S.
tourism industry and contributes little to the industry's
prosperity. As a result, the new jobs and revenue the U.S.
industry thought it was getting with the MOU have instead flowed
back to China.
¶30. (SBU) According to ABC's investigation the bus providers
hired by these brokers are often unlicensed and uninsured. ABC
also claims to have found that some of the bus drivers come with
the tour group from China and serve as both (unlicensed) bus
driver and tour guide. The cost of using an unlicensed driver
from China is one-fifth the cost of using a licensed American
driver. NTA-approved operators that observe the laws cannot
compete with such illegal practices.
¶31. (SBU) This situation is not unique to the United States.
Australia, Hong Kong, Southeast Asia and European countries that
previously won ADS status have experienced similar problems.
Many outbound travel agencies in China and their inbound
partners offer low budget or even "zero-dollar" tour packages to
Chinese tour groups and recoup losses by leading the tours to
numerous shops from which they receive kickbacks or commissions.
¶32. (SBU) The abuse of the ADS system by Chinese outbound
operators led Australia to overhaul their system in 2005 to stop
Zero-Dollar practices. Only outbound and inbound tour operators
who adhere to a strict Code of Business Standards and Ethics
have access to the Australian ADS visa processing system.
NTA Approved List Not Being Disseminated by CNTA in Timely Manner
--------------------------------------------- -------------
¶33. (SBU) On August 22, Commercial Service (CS) Shanghai was
contacted by NTA regarding complaints from some of their
approved inbound operators that their firms had not yet been
placed on CNTA's website listing of approved U.S. inbound
operators.
¶34. (SBU) CS Shanghai suggested that NTA maintain a real-time
list on the NTA website and ask CNTA to place a link on their
website to the list on NTA's website - thus allowing NTA to
SHANGHAI 00000446 006 OF 007
provide a timely list to Chinese outbound operators. At NTA's
request CS Shanghai contacted CNTA about the idea but were
informed that such a simple solution would need to be formally
incorporated into the MOU agreement. CNTA pointed out that the
current agreement only called for list updates every six months.
The most recent, un-dated list of U.S. approved inbound
operators can be found on the CNTA website at:
http://zhuanti.cnta.gov.cn/cjy/index.asp
Consumer Education and the Chinese Tourist
------------------------------------------
¶35. (SBU) The American travel agencies interviewed agreed that
no one is forcing consumers in China to buy the low-budget or
"zero-dollar" shopping tours but they all pointed out that
Chinese consumers do not realize that they are buying tours
without insurance and licensed drivers. They do not realize
that they will be booked into hotels far from tourist
attractions or that they will be forced to spend an inordinate
amount of time in outlying shops that are not part of the
American mainstream. As one Hawaii-based U.S. inbound operator
with significant experience in China reported, "most of the
Chinese retail tour agencies do not have experience selling
tours into the U.S. market and those that do understand what's
going on are more interested in quick turnover than in
generating repeat business with satisfied customers."
¶36. (SBU) China is still an emerging market and Chinese travel
agencies have limited travel products to offer clients. The
agencies are further constrained by a lack of international
knowledge, experience and budget. This has also lead to an
absence of niche products and customized itineraries. This, in
conjunction with the practices discussed here, may result in
first-time Chinese tourists receiving a misleading picture of
America.
Legitimate U.S. Travel Firms Cannot Compete
-------------------------------------------
¶37. (SBU) ABC and others have complained that contrary to
expectations, the MOU has placed U.S. companies at a
disadvantage in their own market. They also express concern
that both governments are failing to police the agreement.
¶38. (SBU) On the Chinese side the CNTA is not policing the
ranks of travel agencies in China to stop unlicensed outbound
operators from organizing tours abroad. Neither is there
evidence that CNTA is cracking down on the common practice of
licensed travel agencies subleasing their licenses to unlicensed
agencies that are in turn not held accountable for their often
questionable practices.
¶39. (SBU) On the U.S. side there are jurisdictional gaps which
allow the illegal operations to slip through cracks in
enforcement. No federal agency is explicitly responsible for
enforcing the provisions of the MOU. Once a State Department
Consular Officer issues the visa, MOU enforcement becomes a
question of domestic U.S. enforcement of immigration, IPR and
civil laws.
¶40. (SBU) The Shanghai Consular Section has also pointed out
another enforcement flaw. Prior to the signing of the MOU,
travel agencies in mainland China were NOT able to advertise
about tourism to the United States, nor officially organize
groups. Government agencies were thus better able to police and
monitor infractions. However, with a growing list of approved
mainland China agencies able to now "advertise" U.S. tourism
packages, enforcement of advertising and organizing by
non-authorized travel agencies is lacking. In addition, small
unauthorized travel agencies and authorized agencies have
increased their advertising in the local media, which is
generating more and more interest among Chinese travelers.
Unauthorized GLT agencies are assisted by authorized agencies to
make appointments as "GLT Participants" OR just assisting the
traveler to make an appointment as a general B1/B2 traveler.
The Consular Section in Shanghai has seen a large increase in
SHANGHAI 00000446 007 OF 007
people going to the United States for tourism in the Non-GLT
appointment category.
Possible Solutions
------------------
¶41. (SBU) There are a number of possible solutions that could
be implemented to address these problems.
-- Require Chinese outbound tour operators making group
appointments at Consular Offices in China to submit a form or
statement from an NTA-approved American inbound operator that is
handling the inbound Chinese tour group in accordance with the
MOU.
-- NTA could establish a liaison with California and other
state and city commerce licensing units and a mechanism for
reporting the locations of unlicensed shops selling counterfeit
goods to tour groups. No one knows where these shops are any
better than the NTA-approved inbound operators that have to
compete with them.
-- Embassy and Consulate Commercial Sections could organize or
facilitate consumer education exhibits and events at travel and
tourism trade shows in China. The objective would be to inform
consumers of the desirability of booking legitimate tours that
provide licensed, insured transportation and quality services.
-- Development of a "single pipeline" system for making
appointments and submitting visa applications for the GLT
appointment category, allowing vetting on who is, and who is
not, authorized to use the special travel channel. According to
the Shanghai Consular Section, this would be similar to a system
they already use for local Foreign Affairs Offices, as well as
the American Chamber of Commerce. The single pipeline operator
could be CNTA-authorized or an American firm operating the
pipeline in a way that could benefit the U.S. industry as well
as level the playing field among Chinese travel agencies.
CAMP