Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07MAPUTO1443
2007-12-06 11:58:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Maputo
Cable title:
CHINESE AMBASSADOR PRIORITIZES POVERTY REDUCTION
how-toVZCZCXRO5227 RR RUEHDU RUEHMR RUEHRN DE RUEHTO #1443 3401158 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 061158Z DEC 07 FM AMEMBASSY MAPUTO TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 8299 INFO RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 0220 RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 0090 RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
C O N F I D E N T I A L MAPUTO 001443
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/05/2017
TAGS: PGOV PREL PINR EAID CN MZ
SUBJECT: CHINESE AMBASSADOR PRIORITIZES POVERTY REDUCTION
IN MOZAMBIQUE
Classified By: Classified by Charge d'Affaires Todd C. Chapman, Reasons
1.4(b) & (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L MAPUTO 001443
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/05/2017
TAGS: PGOV PREL PINR EAID CN MZ
SUBJECT: CHINESE AMBASSADOR PRIORITIZES POVERTY REDUCTION
IN MOZAMBIQUE
Classified By: Classified by Charge d'Affaires Todd C. Chapman, Reasons
1.4(b) & (d)
1. (C) SUMMARY: In a November 27 meeting with the Charge,
Chinese Ambassador to Mozambique Tiang Uang Seng said that
China's goal in Mozambique is the reduction of poverty
through efforts focused on agricultural assistance and health
care. Ambassador Tiang showed particular interest in
AFRICOM, USG training for the Mozambican military, and USAID
programs for strengthening democracy. Ambassador Tiang was
not receptive to having USG and Chinese experts work together
on projects aimed at common goals, preferring instead a
variety of approaches to the same goals. End Summary.
--------------
China's Goal in Mozambique: Poverty Reduction
--------------
2. (SBU) Charge and Poloff met November 27 with the elusive
Chinese Ambassador to Mozambique Tiang Uang Seng and his
English/Chinese translator at the Chinese Embassy two months
following our original request. When asked about China's
priorities in Mozambique, Tiang said the top priority was the
reduction of poverty. He indicated that China's efforts are
focused on agricultural training and medical assistance.
China trains Mozambicans in Chinese techniques to improve
crop yields. The Chinese also plan to provide 16 medical
doctors to help treat malaria in Mozambique. When the Charge
offered to have Chinese and USG experts work together in
these two areas in Mozambique, Ambassador Tiang side-stepped
the offer, saying there are many approaches to solving the
same problem, and that there is strength in varied efforts.
--------------
Interest in USG Military, Democracy Programs
--------------
3. (C) The Charge provided Tiang with an overview of U.S.
assistance programs in Mozambique, emphasizing health,
agriculture and democracy programs. Tiang inquired about USG
military involvement in Africa, asking about AFRICOM as well
as the type of training provided by the U.S. military to the
armed forces of Mozambique (FADM). The Charge provided an
overview about AFRICOM and the U.S. military training
programs. The Charge also mentioned training for
peacekeeping operations as well as the boats given by the USG
to the Mozambican Navy in response to the Mozambican
government's request for assistance in monitoring illegal
activities in their coastal waters. (Note: This was a veiled
reference to the illegal fishing allegedly being conducted in
Mozambican waters by Chinese ships. End Note) The
Ambassador also showed interest in USG programs aimed at
strengthening governance in municipalities. The meeting
concluded with a vague commitment to meet again to further
discuss the full range of U.S. and Chinese assistance
programs underway in Mozambique.
4. (C) COMMENT: Ambassador Tiang's claim that China's top
interest in Mozambique is the reduction of poverty appears
disingenuous given China's aggressive commercial campaign in
Mozambique to secure mineral rights and natural resources.
With low-ball pricing, Chinese companies are winning many of
the largest government contracts and Mozambican (and other
international) companies are finding it difficult to compete.
China's donor diplomacy, funding one-off infrastructure
projects such as the not-yet-completed national soccer
stadium and the already-completed Foreign Ministry building,
continues to win China friends in government and among the
general populace. The somewhat reclusive Ambassador Tiang,
even after six years in Guinea-Bissau and nine months in
Mozambique, is not confident enough in his Portuguese
language skills to hold formal meetings in Portuguese and he
evidently does not speak English. He also rarely appears at
receptions or hosts meetings with foreign diplomats. There
might be areas for possible cooperation with China on
development programs in Mozambique, but absent direct
instructions from Beijing, Tiang does not seem in a hurry to
pursue the possibility. END COMMENT.
Chapman
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/05/2017
TAGS: PGOV PREL PINR EAID CN MZ
SUBJECT: CHINESE AMBASSADOR PRIORITIZES POVERTY REDUCTION
IN MOZAMBIQUE
Classified By: Classified by Charge d'Affaires Todd C. Chapman, Reasons
1.4(b) & (d)
1. (C) SUMMARY: In a November 27 meeting with the Charge,
Chinese Ambassador to Mozambique Tiang Uang Seng said that
China's goal in Mozambique is the reduction of poverty
through efforts focused on agricultural assistance and health
care. Ambassador Tiang showed particular interest in
AFRICOM, USG training for the Mozambican military, and USAID
programs for strengthening democracy. Ambassador Tiang was
not receptive to having USG and Chinese experts work together
on projects aimed at common goals, preferring instead a
variety of approaches to the same goals. End Summary.
--------------
China's Goal in Mozambique: Poverty Reduction
--------------
2. (SBU) Charge and Poloff met November 27 with the elusive
Chinese Ambassador to Mozambique Tiang Uang Seng and his
English/Chinese translator at the Chinese Embassy two months
following our original request. When asked about China's
priorities in Mozambique, Tiang said the top priority was the
reduction of poverty. He indicated that China's efforts are
focused on agricultural training and medical assistance.
China trains Mozambicans in Chinese techniques to improve
crop yields. The Chinese also plan to provide 16 medical
doctors to help treat malaria in Mozambique. When the Charge
offered to have Chinese and USG experts work together in
these two areas in Mozambique, Ambassador Tiang side-stepped
the offer, saying there are many approaches to solving the
same problem, and that there is strength in varied efforts.
--------------
Interest in USG Military, Democracy Programs
--------------
3. (C) The Charge provided Tiang with an overview of U.S.
assistance programs in Mozambique, emphasizing health,
agriculture and democracy programs. Tiang inquired about USG
military involvement in Africa, asking about AFRICOM as well
as the type of training provided by the U.S. military to the
armed forces of Mozambique (FADM). The Charge provided an
overview about AFRICOM and the U.S. military training
programs. The Charge also mentioned training for
peacekeeping operations as well as the boats given by the USG
to the Mozambican Navy in response to the Mozambican
government's request for assistance in monitoring illegal
activities in their coastal waters. (Note: This was a veiled
reference to the illegal fishing allegedly being conducted in
Mozambican waters by Chinese ships. End Note) The
Ambassador also showed interest in USG programs aimed at
strengthening governance in municipalities. The meeting
concluded with a vague commitment to meet again to further
discuss the full range of U.S. and Chinese assistance
programs underway in Mozambique.
4. (C) COMMENT: Ambassador Tiang's claim that China's top
interest in Mozambique is the reduction of poverty appears
disingenuous given China's aggressive commercial campaign in
Mozambique to secure mineral rights and natural resources.
With low-ball pricing, Chinese companies are winning many of
the largest government contracts and Mozambican (and other
international) companies are finding it difficult to compete.
China's donor diplomacy, funding one-off infrastructure
projects such as the not-yet-completed national soccer
stadium and the already-completed Foreign Ministry building,
continues to win China friends in government and among the
general populace. The somewhat reclusive Ambassador Tiang,
even after six years in Guinea-Bissau and nine months in
Mozambique, is not confident enough in his Portuguese
language skills to hold formal meetings in Portuguese and he
evidently does not speak English. He also rarely appears at
receptions or hosts meetings with foreign diplomats. There
might be areas for possible cooperation with China on
development programs in Mozambique, but absent direct
instructions from Beijing, Tiang does not seem in a hurry to
pursue the possibility. END COMMENT.
Chapman