Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06COTONOU918
2006-09-20 16:44:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Cotonou
Cable title:  

BENIN: PRESIDENT YAYI VISITS CHINA TO BOOST TIES

Tags:  PGOV PREL ECON EPET ETRD CH BN 
pdf how-to read a cable
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P 201644Z SEP 06
FM AMEMBASSY COTONOU
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8793
INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE
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RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 0976
UNCLAS COTONOU 000918 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR AF/W (DBANKS)
PARIS FOR D'ELIA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL ECON EPET ETRD CH BN
SUBJECT: BENIN: PRESIDENT YAYI VISITS CHINA TO BOOST TIES

REF: 05 COTONOU 927

UNCLAS COTONOU 000918

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR AF/W (DBANKS)
PARIS FOR D'ELIA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL ECON EPET ETRD CH BN
SUBJECT: BENIN: PRESIDENT YAYI VISITS CHINA TO BOOST TIES

REF: 05 COTONOU 927


1. SUMMARY: Since taking office in April 2006, President Yayi has
traveled abroad extensively. The latest visit in this diplomatic
offensive was an official visit to China, August 28 - September 2.
Heading a delegation that included the Minister of Foreign of
Affairs, Minister of Finance, Minister of Agriculture and other key
GOB officials, Yayi met with Chinese President Hu Jintao, the
Chinese Premier and other officials and secured Chinese commitments
of future aid, in both grants and loans. END SUMMARY.


2. During an August 28-September 2 official visit to China, Benin's
President Yayi and his delegation viewed firsthand the results of
China's economic and agricultural development. A key event was
Yayi's working session with the President of the China National
Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) and his staff. Yayi urged CNOOC to
engage in oil exploration in Benin, stating "I am convinced...that
you will find oil in my country." (NOTE: Benin currently has a
tender out for oil exploration in two on-shore and two off-shore
blocks, in addition to the four off-shore blocks already under
exploration, including one by U.S. oil firm Kerr-McGee. Bids for
the four new blocks are due by November 30, 2006. END NOTE.)



3. A joint communique released at the end of the visit affirmed the
two countries' commitment to increasing their cooperation in
agriculture, infrastructure projects, telecommunications and energy.
They also will continue to support each other on major issues of
sovereignty and territorial integrity and enhance coordination in
international affairs. President Yayi reiterated Benin's adherence
to the one-China policy. The communique announced conclusion of
several agreements related to technical, cultural and economical
cooperation.


4. As previously reported (REFTEL),China and Benin have enjoyed
healthy and stable relations since resuming diplomatic ties 34 years
ago under former President Kerekou's Marxist and revolutionary
regime. Two ongoing projects in Benin financed by the Chinese
include:

-- construction of a new office building for the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs and

-- the development of a cellular phone network for Benin Telecom,
the GOB-owned fixed line monopoly.

A state-owned Chinese telecom company is implementing the latter
project, which, according to Benin Telecom's director, has an
estimated value of USD 60 million.


5. Chinese sources indicate that Sino-Beninese trade was valued at
USD 1.09 billion in 2005. This represents a huge increase over 2004
figures of about USD 400 million, and makes China Benin's largest
trading partner.

BROWN