WHEN Washington was custom-designed as the federal capital back in the late 1700s, architect Pierre L'Enfant must already have had the need to accommodate the lobbyists in the back of his mind.
With its sweeping avenues supporting a network of majestic federal buildings, framed at either end by the White House and the Capitol, the ease of movement in the city centre allows a cause, an idea, or a campaign to circulate through town in no time at all.
But seasoned as they may be, Washington's congressmen and government officials can hardly have been prepared for the current lobbying assault from Hong Kong.
If this is spring, it must be time for the renewal of Most Favoured Nation (MFN) trading status for China, and if that is the case, the movers and shakers who matter will have to take their phones off the hook if they want to escape the barrage from Hong Kong.
Two months ago, the charge was led by a visiting delegation from the American Chamber of Commerce, followed last month by a visit from Secretary for Trade and Industry Brian Chau Tak-hay; then came last week's energetic delegation led by Paul Cheng Ming-fun of the General Chamber of Commerce. And now - although who can say if it is the last sally of the season - a volley from Hong Kong's most powerful weapon so far: Chief Secretary Anson Chan Fang On-sang.
Mrs Chan arrived this morning at her base in the fashionable Four Seasons hotel, and went almost immediately to dinner at the elegant, oak-panelled Georgetown Club. It was there, at an establishment which appropriately had long-standing reciprocal links with the Hong Kong Club, that Mrs Chan and the territory's man in Washington, Barrie Wiggham, were due to pore over the strategy for a whole week's worth of high-powered flesh pressing.