Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07MASERU112
2007-03-02 12:32:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Maseru
Cable title:
LESOTHO: INPUT FOR US/CHINA DIALOG ON AFRICA
how-toVZCZCXRO3279 RR RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHJO RUEHRN DE RUEHMR #0112 0611232 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 021232Z MAR 07 FM AMEMBASSY MASERU TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 2685 INFO RUCNSAD/SADC COLLECTIVE RUEHMR/AMEMBASSY MASERU 3034
UNCLAS MASERU 000112
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT ALSO FOR AF/RSA: DANIEL EPSTEIN
DEPT ALSO FOR AF/S, EAP
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETRD PGOV PREL EINV CH LT
SUBJECT: LESOTHO: INPUT FOR US/CHINA DIALOG ON AFRICA
REF: STATE 24937
UNCLAS MASERU 000112
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT ALSO FOR AF/RSA: DANIEL EPSTEIN
DEPT ALSO FOR AF/S, EAP
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETRD PGOV PREL EINV CH LT
SUBJECT: LESOTHO: INPUT FOR US/CHINA DIALOG ON AFRICA
REF: STATE 24937
1. (U) Per REFTEL request, Embassy Maseru provides the
following information on the relationship between the Kingdom of
Lesotho and the People's Republic of China.
--------------
Lesotho and China
--------------
2. (SBU) Relationship: Cordial and deepening.
Public Perception: Mixed Views. The general population is
highly suspicious and views the resident Chinese population as
clannish, culturally insensitive, and taking business
opportunities away from locals. Some locals, including
political opposition leaders, perceive Chinese investors and
business owners (who run an apparel and textile industry that
employs over 40,000 Basotho) as exploitative, paying inadequate
living wages.
Chinese trade/investment: Significant commerce supply of knit
fabric for apparel factories. Little or no investment in
private sector; garment factories mainly operated by
Taiwan-based companies. However, with 5,000 PRC mainland
citizens in Lesotho, many small shops in rural areas are
Chinese-owned. Free trade negotiations with the PRC are slated
to begin in the near future.
Assistance: PRC development assistance is fairly significant:
grants concentrating on infrastructure and equipment for GOL;
construction of National Convention Center and National Library
and Archives; project to update and expand television and radio
broadcast coverage. The PRC is building a new Parliament
facility.
Intersection with U.S. Interests: Both the U.S. and China
support many GOL initiatives, but there is no major Chinese
investment in economic development.
Military Relationship or Issues: The PRC offers some training
programs.
High Level Visits: State visit by Lesotho's Prime Minister and
several Ministers to China in December 2006.
--------------
Long-Term Pragmatism
--------------
3. (SBU) COMMENT: In this pragmatic relationship, China offers
concrete and visible contributions to Lesotho, as well as travel
for senior officials and short-term military and business
training programs. Educational support has extended beyond the
military to ministries and the general population, previously
including studies by the Prime Minister's daughter-in-law. All
of these factors indicate plans for a long-term engagement
strategy. END COMMENT.
PERRY
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT ALSO FOR AF/RSA: DANIEL EPSTEIN
DEPT ALSO FOR AF/S, EAP
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETRD PGOV PREL EINV CH LT
SUBJECT: LESOTHO: INPUT FOR US/CHINA DIALOG ON AFRICA
REF: STATE 24937
1. (U) Per REFTEL request, Embassy Maseru provides the
following information on the relationship between the Kingdom of
Lesotho and the People's Republic of China.
--------------
Lesotho and China
--------------
2. (SBU) Relationship: Cordial and deepening.
Public Perception: Mixed Views. The general population is
highly suspicious and views the resident Chinese population as
clannish, culturally insensitive, and taking business
opportunities away from locals. Some locals, including
political opposition leaders, perceive Chinese investors and
business owners (who run an apparel and textile industry that
employs over 40,000 Basotho) as exploitative, paying inadequate
living wages.
Chinese trade/investment: Significant commerce supply of knit
fabric for apparel factories. Little or no investment in
private sector; garment factories mainly operated by
Taiwan-based companies. However, with 5,000 PRC mainland
citizens in Lesotho, many small shops in rural areas are
Chinese-owned. Free trade negotiations with the PRC are slated
to begin in the near future.
Assistance: PRC development assistance is fairly significant:
grants concentrating on infrastructure and equipment for GOL;
construction of National Convention Center and National Library
and Archives; project to update and expand television and radio
broadcast coverage. The PRC is building a new Parliament
facility.
Intersection with U.S. Interests: Both the U.S. and China
support many GOL initiatives, but there is no major Chinese
investment in economic development.
Military Relationship or Issues: The PRC offers some training
programs.
High Level Visits: State visit by Lesotho's Prime Minister and
several Ministers to China in December 2006.
--------------
Long-Term Pragmatism
--------------
3. (SBU) COMMENT: In this pragmatic relationship, China offers
concrete and visible contributions to Lesotho, as well as travel
for senior officials and short-term military and business
training programs. Educational support has extended beyond the
military to ministries and the general population, previously
including studies by the Prime Minister's daughter-in-law. All
of these factors indicate plans for a long-term engagement
strategy. END COMMENT.
PERRY