Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05GABORONE1444
2005-10-06 15:31:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Gaborone
Cable title:  

CHINA WOOS BOTSWANA THROUGH EXCHANGE VISITS,

Tags:  PREL PGOV CH BC 
pdf how-to read a cable
This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

061531Z Oct 05

ACTION AF-00 

INFO LOG-00 NP-00 AID-00 CA-00 CIAE-00 INL-00 DODE-00 
 PDI-00 DS-00 EAP-00 OIGO-00 FBIE-00 UTED-00 H-00 
 TEDE-00 INR-00 LAB-01 M-00 NSAE-00 NIMA-00 GIWI-00 
 SGAC-00 SSO-00 SS-00 EVR-00 SA-00 FMP-00 DSCC-00 
 PRM-00 DRL-00 NFAT-00 SAS-00 SWCI-00 /001W
 ------------------479F0D 061924Z /38 
FM AMEMBASSY GABORONE
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 2536
INFO SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY
AMEMBASSY BEIJING 
WHITE HOUSE NSC WASHINGTON DC
HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE
UNCLAS GABORONE 001444 

SIPDIS


SENSITIVE

DEPT FOR AF/S (MUNCY),EAP/CM (CRANE),AF/RSA (NAY)

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV CH BC
SUBJECT: CHINA WOOS BOTSWANA THROUGH EXCHANGE VISITS,
ASSISTANCE

REF: A. 04 GABORONE 1519


B. GABORONE 934

UNCLAS GABORONE 001444

SIPDIS


SENSITIVE

DEPT FOR AF/S (MUNCY),EAP/CM (CRANE),AF/RSA (NAY)

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV CH BC
SUBJECT: CHINA WOOS BOTSWANA THROUGH EXCHANGE VISITS,
ASSISTANCE

REF: A. 04 GABORONE 1519


B. GABORONE 934


1. (SBU) SUMMARY: China uses exchanges, assistance and
trade as three primary tools to strengthen its ties with
Botswana. According to the Director for Asia and Africa
Mr. Manyepedza Lesetedi in the MFA, nearly two-dozen GOB
officials traveled to China this year to participate in
short courses on topics ranging from horticulture to the
media. He reported that an additional 30-odd Botswana
Defense Force personnel would participate in similar trips
this year. Low-interest loans from the Chinese Government
support infrastructure development projects carried out by
one of ten Chinese parastatals active in Botswana.
Consumer goods account for the bulk of Chinese exports to
Botswana. If direct marketing of diamonds becomes a
reality, China's importance as a trade partner would
quickly magnify. While the GOB is happy with the
assistance provided by the PRC, Batswana generally take a
dim view of the Chinese businesses here, which they
perceive as creating few jobs and adding little to the
national income. END SUMMARY

--------------
CHINA REACHES OUT THROUGH EXCHANGE VISITS
--------------


2. (SBU) Over twenty government officials have traveled to
China this year to participate in short courses or themed
visits, Director of Asia and Africa Mr. Manyepedza Lesetedi
told PolOffs on September 19. Invitees included the
Ministers of Lands and Housing and Labor and Home Affairs
and subjects addressed on these trips ranged from media to
immigration to horticulture. Mr. Lesetedi judged these
visits to China both productive and popular among
government officials. University students, in contrast,
frequently are not interested in studying in China and turn
down opportunities to do so, preferring Australia, the UK
or the US.


3. (SBU) Although he was not able to comment in detail on
military exchanges, Mr. Lesetedi estimated that some thirty
Botswana Defense Force personnel would travel to China this
year, including four expected to travel in the next two
months.


4. (U) China's hospitality has extended beyond government
officials to include members of the ruling party. In May,
the Botswana Democratic Party's Executive Secretary Batlang

Serema, Youth Wing Chair Peter Meswele, and three party
colleagues traveled to China at the invitation of the
Chinese Communist Party to learn about its operations.


5. (U) The following month, Botswana hosted an
eight-person delegation from the Ethnic Affairs Committee
of China's National People's Congress. Although the
delegation head Fulin Kui said he hoped to learn from
Botswana's management of ethnic differences, he described
the purpose of the visit as deepening friendship between
Botswana and China.

-------------- --------------
LOW-INTEREST LOANS SUPPORT INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT
-------------- --------------


6. (SBU) As reported in Ref A, the PRC has extended
low-interest loans to the Government of Botswana to support
infrastructure development. One Chinese diplomat estimated
to PolOff that this aid averaged BWP 200 million
(approximately USD 42 million) per year. These moneys go
toward contracts with one of ten Chinese-owned construction
firms present in Botswana. These companies have
significantly reduced project costs for the Government but
also inspired resentment among local and South African
companies who have lost contracts.


7. (SBU) The PRC has also established a relationship with
the Ministry of Health through which a few Chinese doctors
and other health professionals help staff the Princess
Marina Hospital in Gaborone. Each team stays in Botswana
for about one year and is replaced by other colleagues from
China. The Chinese Commercial Officer informed EconOff
that his Embassy also provides aid to fund training for
doctors.


8. (U) At the Chinese National Day celebrations on
September 28, Foreign Minister Merafhe praised China for


its provision of military training, USD 50,000 to help
fight HIV/AIDS, and furniture for the MFA's headquarters.

--------------
POPULAR RESENTMENT TOWARD CHINESE TRADERS
--------------


9. (U) The Chinese Commercial Officer estimated that China
exports roughly USD 50 million to Botswana each year and
imports only USD 3 million. Chinese exports to Botswana
consist largely of cheap consumer goods. The bulk of
Chinese businesses in Botswana are small traders selling
clothing and household items. As the Government of
Botswana looks at directly marketing some portion of the
diamonds produced within the country, mineral exports could
provide one means of balancing Botswana's trade with
China. To date, the Chinese have not invested in
exploitation of natural resources in Botswana.


10. (U) Mr. Lesetedi echoed comments made to PolOff during
a trip to Francistown, Botswana's second largest city (Ref
B),that popular resentment toward Chinese businesspeople
runs high. Contrary to local expectations, he said,
Chinese businesses have created few jobs, most of which are
entry level and pay poorly, and contribute little to
expanding the national income. As reported in Ref B, the
GOB is still deliberating the institution of restrictions
on the issuance and transfer of trading licenses to prevent
expatriates (primarily Chinese and South Asians) from
dominating that market. According to Norman Molele, Deputy
Director of the Botswana Confederation of Commerce,
Industry and Manpower, the desire to avoid a sudden drop in
demand for retail space has delayed a decision on this
matter. One possible outcome is the placement of
restrictions on the future issuance and transfer of trade
licenses, grandfathering in those who already hold these
permits.

--------------
COMMENT
--------------


11. (SBU) Despite the significant cultural distance
separating Batswana from the Chinese, respect for their
economic achievements and the PRC's intense efforts to
build rapport through exchange visits is likely to
positively color local attitudes toward China in the
future. Direct export of diamonds to China would
dramatically strengthen bilateral ties and increase Chinese
influence in Botswana. Thus far, it appears that China is
focused on accumulating political capital - other than a
determined effort to persuade the GOB to oppose Japan's
candidacy for the UN Security Council, it is not clear
whether the PRC has sought any specific deliverables from
its friendship with Botswana. Mission will continue
expanding its contacts among Chinese officials and business
people to monitor China's relationship with Botswana.
CANAVAN


NNNN