Former Secretary of State James Baker visits Hong Kong

RA members pictured include (L to R) Ian Harrop, Alan Seigrist, Steven Kahn, Don Meyer, Secretary Baker and Chris Glover





It was a great honor and privilege to meet Secretary Baker on his recent visit to Hong Kong. He gave a speech to AMCHAM with a comprehensive breakdown of the major international political issues facing the US at this time, including the War in Iraq, Taiwan/China and revaluation of the Chinese Yuan.

Without question, Secretary Baker's views and opinions represented some of the most straighforward yet diplomatic opinions that we have seen from a major US politician in Hong Kong on these important topics.

The Secretary discussed his latest effort, which is to lead the bi-partisan Iraq Study Group for the United States Institute for Peace. This effort is one of the most important undertakings which will affect US Iraq Policy when its findings are released. Secretary Baker mentioned that they will release their findings in 9 months. For more information please see this website:

http://www.usip.org/isg/

The Secretary also offered honest and measured views on US China relations. Of most concern to RA HK was his strong opinion that the revaluation of the Yuan was the best option for both the US and Chinese economies. Of course this opinion was delivered in classic Baker diplomaspeak, giving the PRC government great respect for the phenominal economic progress they've made over the last 10 years, but also suggesting that the time is right for both China and the US that the fixed currency regime needs to be abandoned.

Conference Call with Congressman George Radanovich

As a member of Republicans Abroad, we were honored to have the opportunity to have a conference call with Congressman George Radanovich representing Fresno, California. The Congressman is one of the most influential Republicans in the House. The conference call was a great format, allowing pretty much everyone to ask a question if they wanted, it was very similar to a Town Hall meeting, except by long distance conference call!

Congressman Radanovich covered many topics, but the one covered in the most detail was regarding illegal immigration. The Congressman intimated that we need a two pronged strategy to deal with illegal immigration - 1) strengthen policing of the borders and 2) legalizing migrant workers.

With the Congressman representing one of the most important farming districts in the US, he has an intimate understanding of the great value that migrant workers bring to the US, working in jobs that few Americans want. From this perspective the Congressman wants to end the insanity of the "grey area" policy that the US government currently has, which is every migrant worker is illegal and undocumented yet they have access to a hodgepodge of rights and services (including periodic amnesties) but then they don't have access to basic employment rights and protection due to their illegal status.

By creating a legal immigration mechanism, we will be better able to manage and take care of these people while they are working in the US. It was discussed in the call by Chris Fussner, Don Meyer and Alan Seigrist that both Hong Kong and Singapore use a very effective migrant worker program to manage and oversee the large population of immigrant houskeepers that are employed in these city states.

Congressman Radanovich is clearly a very professional and concerned politician. We give him our full support in finding a meaningful and comprehensive solution to this immigration challenge in the US.

Private RA Cocktail with Deputy Undersecretary of State Alex Feldman

RA Members (L to R) Don Meyer, Sal Petrancosta, Alex Feldman, Alan Seigrist, James Lagiglia, Mike Dollar and Ian Harrop.




Deputy Undersecretary Alex Feldman paid a visit, on his personal time, to see Republicans Abroad Hong Kong. Alex Feldman is currently working directly under Karen Hughes in DC, and he has general responsibility for communicating and improving the US image abroad, especially in the Middle East. It was a real privilege to have this RA alumnus come visit us and give us the rundown of Karen Hughes efforts in this area. It was interesting to hear that their main goal is to simply communicate better, and find the ways neccessary to get the message out about US goals in the region. Mr. Feldman is a great guy and we are lucky to have someone like him working so hard to do what we all know is an extremely difficult job. Thank you Alex for visiting us and thank you for serving your country in such an important role!

Suprise Visit to RA's AGM by Under Secretary Frank Lavin

Under Secretary Lavin (center, with glasses and big smile) with RA attendees for the Annual General Meeting at the American Club in Hong Kong



Former RA HK alumnus Ambassador Frank Lavin came for a suprise visit to RA's Annual General Meeting. Ambassador Lavin is now the Under Secretary for International Trade. Ambassador Lavin oversees the International Trade Administration (ITA) which has over 2,500 employees. The ITA is a division of the Department of Commerce.

It was a great honor to have Under Secretary Lavin speak to the Republicans Abroad just before our AGM. Ambassador Lavin was characteristically entertaining and humorous, and the meeting served as a reminder of why he is now one of the most senior trade officials in the US goverment.

Under Secretary Lavin touched on a multitude of subjects revolving around International Trade, and the general DC politics involved with respect to trade. Of course top on his agenda was intimating to China that their current policy of fixing the Yuan is extremely unpopular in the US, and was explaining his position that this currency regime should change as soon as the PRC is able to implement the change.

Of course it is the general opinion of most Republicans in China and Hong Kong that the Yuan will eventually float, but that putting intensive public pressure on the Chinese typically will actually slow down the process rather than speed it up. The conventional wisdom of most "China Hands" is if you tell them in private in a face saving way that this is critical and important, they will almost always find a way to reciprocate with you if you treat them with respect and as a friend.

US Ambassador Randt comes to Hong Kong

US Ambassador to China and former RA HK member Sandy Randt speaking at the podium.






We were all excited when Republicans Abroad Hong Kong alumnus Sandy Randt came to Hong Kong and gave us a rundown of the state of affairs between the PRC and the US. The key elements of the Ambassador's speach focused on IPR protection, trade and the President's policy towards floatation of the Yuan.

Ambassador Randt's speech was comprehensive and eloquent, covering all of the major issues in comprehensive detail that only a highly experienced "China Hand" like Ambassador Randt could do. It is obvious that President Bush selected the right man for the job, and it has been reflected in the relatively smooth relations between China and the US, despite some very deep differences. His speech emphasized the importance of the US position, but also emphasized the importance of moderation and diplomacy when dealing with the PRC.

RA HK members (L to R) Alan and Barbora Seigrist, Don Meyer, Sal Petrancosta, Mike Dollar, Peter Yeung, Chris Glover, Ambassador Randt, Dan Tagliere and Thomas Bisphan.

Governator Schwarzenegger comes to Hong Kong to slay IPR violators!!!

What a thrill to have Governor Schwarzenegger come to Hong Kong! The Governor gave an absolutely brilliant speech to the Hong Kong business community. The speech covered the topic of Intellectual Property Rights, which of course is fundamental to the success of California's film, music and technology industries. He also had help from Jackie Chan and they released a public service announcement at the event to stop people from buying illegal content. By this bloggers account his visit has been very successful as I have noticed that all openly public sales of pirated software in Hong Kong has pretty much dissapeared since his visit. Good Job Governor!

RA HK Chair emeritus Jeff Blount is in the back and former RA HK Secretary Yvonne Nelson on the right.





The Governor arrived in Hong Kong on the heals of the defeat of his referendums for reform on redistricting, union political payments, and teacher's tenure.

It is clear that the media in California (my home state) unfairly and unjustly smeared this man during the special election, he is by far and away one of the most exciting and dynamic political forces in the US today, and he has been unfairly targeted by the cancer known as the far left that is entrenched in California politics... also known as the Democratic Party, and their only desire is to do everything in their power to heap scorn on and spit venom at the Governor.
RA HK Secretary / Treasurer Alan Seigrist on the left. Just another day hangin' out with Arnie and Jackie.




The California Democrats have pulled out all the stops to discredit him. Several insiders that I have talked to say that this is part of a concerted Democratic campaign to keep Arnold from influencing the national presidential election picture in 2008.

I think the Democrats have seriously underestimated the Governor, he is a man that has never failed at anything he's put his mind to. In addition I have nothing but the greatest respect for the Governor - there is no incentive for this man to have run for office other than his desire to serve California (which has been so good to him). Go Arnie!!

CEO of Home Essentials meets RA at private cocktail

Chris Exline, CEO of a company called Home Essentials, gave a rousing talk to Republicans Abroad in Hong Kong today. Home Essentials is the world's largest furniture rental company and Chris came to talk with RA about his company's work in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Chris started with a dynamic and straightforward assessment of what has been happening in these countries, and how the removal of Saddam Hussein and the Taliban have improved people's lives. Chris' observations on the ground and his general experiences were nothing like the negativity that we see in the general media. As someone who has been to these countries, and run a commercial enterprise successfully in these coutnries, his observations clearly dispelled the idea that what has happened in these countries is all bad. Of particular note was the fundamental observation that the Afghanis and Iraqis now have pluralistic representative democracies for the first time in their respective histories.

Thank you Chris for giving such an interesting speach, it was arguably the most interesting and entertaining talks for RA this year. Please take a look at home essential's business at

http://www.homeessentials.org/