C O N F I D E N T I A L ABUJA 001932

SIPDIS


E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/15/2001
TAGS: ETRD NI PREL MASS CH
SUBJECT: NIGERIA: OBASANJO TO VISIT CHINA

Classified by Ambassador Howard F. Jeter. Reason: 1.5(b).



1. (C) Mission has learned that the much-discussed but
never-before-scheduled State Visit to China of Nigerian
President Olusegun Obasanjo is now slated for late August.
President Obasanjo plans to leave Nigeria on August 25, and
depart China on August 29, arriving in Nigeria on August 30.



2. (U) Chinese nationals have long been active in
manufacturing in Nigeria, notably in textiles and plastic
products. More recently, a wider range of Chinese (and other
East Asian origin) low-cost consumer goods has become
available in Nigeria -- often to the consterntion of domestic
manufacturers who cannot compete effectively. Chinese firms
in the engineering sector (onshore seismic operations in
oil-producing areas and large civil engineering projects in
Abuja (CCECC) and telecommunications are also establishing
strong profiles here. The Chinese have also sought to
establish a presence in the sale of defense-related articles.
Jeter