Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08CONAKRY154
2008-05-02 11:40:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Conakry
Cable title:  

RESPONSE - CHINA'S ENGAGEMENT IN GUINEA

Tags:  PGOV EAGR ECPS EFIN MARR PREL SENV TRGY XA 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO4077
PP RUEHMA RUEHPA
DE RUEHRY #0154/01 1231140
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 021140Z MAY 08
FM AMEMBASSY CONAKRY
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2465
INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 0057
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE
RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 CONAKRY 000154 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV EAGR ECPS EFIN MARR PREL SENV TRGY XA
XE, GV
SUBJECT: RESPONSE - CHINA'S ENGAGEMENT IN GUINEA

REF: STATE 41697

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 CONAKRY 000154

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV EAGR ECPS EFIN MARR PREL SENV TRGY XA
XE, GV
SUBJECT: RESPONSE - CHINA'S ENGAGEMENT IN GUINEA

REF: STATE 41697


1. The below information is in response to reftel request
regarding China's engagement in Guinea.

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CHINESE FOCUS
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2. China's interest in Guinea is primarily economic with
significant investment in the following sectors: energy,
mining, agriculture, infrastructure, community development,
and health. Some projects represent development assistance
as they are generally done as "gifts" to the people of
Guinea, meaning that Chinese companies and workers are used
to build the project, but the project is then gifted to the
Guinean Government upon completion. Other projects represent
direct investment by Chinese companies. The Chinese
Government trained a battalion of Guinean "Ranger" soldiers
in 2001, and has provided periodic military training since
then. On the security front, the Chinese Government has
donated motorcycles to Guinean police in the past, and has
promised to provide communication equipment.

The following serve as examples of some of China's specific
activities in Guinea:

- Through Syno-Hydro and Eximbank of China, China has
committed to build a hydroelectric dam, at a cost of about $1
billion, in exchange for a bauxite concession. Syno-Hydro is
conducting preliminary feasibility studies.

- The Guinean Government granted Henan-Chine a license for
bauxite exploration in the region of Boffa. It is expected
that Chinese interest in the mining sector will continue to
grow.

- Henan-Chine recently completed a major road construction
project, which was funded by the Kuwaiti and Saudi
Development Funds, as well as the African Development Bank,
for about $80 million.

- The Guinean Ministry of Health recently granted a license
to a Chinese company (Societe Chinoise Sodong Pharmgui) to
manufacture generic medicines such as amoxicillin, aspirin,

and paracetamol for local hospitals and clinics.

- The Russian company Rusal and China Power Investment plan
to build a new bauxite and alumina refinery complex in the
near future. The project is currently in the feasibility
study stage and is expected to be one of the biggest mining
projects in the country.

- The Chinese Government recently renovated the building
housing Radio Television Guinean, which was damaged when a
MIG Jet crashed into it in 2007. The Chinese Government sent
technicians to investigate the crash site, and to help
replace and/or repair damaged equipment.

- In 2007, the Chinese Government started building a modern
stadium facility in Conakry, which is expected to seat 50,000
people.

- The Chinese Government initially built the People's Palace
in Conakry, which houses the national parliament. They are
currently renovating the building as Guinea prepares for its
50th Anniversary Celebration later in the year. China is
also expected to replace old equipment and furniture.

- The Chinese Government has reportedly promised to build
and equip a modern hospital in Conakry. China made the
commitment during the China-Africa Summit in Beijing in 2007,
but the current status of the project is unclear.

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EMBASSY TO EMBASSY ENGAGEMENT
--------------


3. The Embassy has regular contact with Chinese diplomats in
Guinea, and Embassy officials continue to develop contacts
through periodic meetings with Chinese counterparts. We are
not currently coordinating with the Chinese Embassy on any
specific project or initiative.

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OPPORTUNITIES FOR ENHANCED BILATERAL COOPERATION

CONAKRY 00000154 002 OF 002


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4. The most likely opportunities for bilateral cooperation
would be for infrastructure or community development
projects. China may see the U.S. as a competitor with
respect to investment opportunities, especially in the mining
sector, and therefore less willing to coordinate bilateral
programs. They have not expressed an interest in defense
coordination efforts.


5. The U.S. may also want to explore bilateral cooperation
in law enforcement. The Government of Guinea has a very
ambitious plan in place, which includes opening a new police
academy and recruiting up to 10,000 new police officers.
China is already engaged in law enforcement and Guinea was
recently accepted into the U.S. ILEA program.


6. A third possibility involves promoting good governance.
China may be initially reluctant to engage on this issue, but
a good first step would be simply aiming to inform China
about our programs in Africa in order to help them comprehend
the motives and methods of western donors.
CARTER