ENGAGEMENT WITH CHINA IN SIERRA LEONE

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 FREETOWN 000208 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/02/2018 TAGS: PGOV EAGR ECPS EFIN MARR PREL SENV TRGY XA XE, SL SUBJECT: ENGAGEMENT WITH CHINA IN SIERRA LEONE REF: A. STATE 41697 ¶B. FREETOWN 147 ¶C. FREETOWN 182 ¶D. 2007 FREETOWN 153 Classified By: Ambassador June Carter Perry for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (U) Please see the following responses, pursuant to reftel A: -------------- CHINESE ENGAGEMENT IN SIERRA LEONE -------------- ¶2. (C) As noted in reftel B, the Chinese Government's focus in Sierra Leone is technical assistance in targeted sectors and infrastructure development. Their primary interest, according to Ambassador Wenju in his meeting with U.S. Ambassador (reftel B) on February 13, is helping to expand the agricultural sector, with plans to provide equipment and teams of technical advisors to increase production of rice and other staples. The energy sector is another area of focus, with intentions to assist in the development of a long-term strategic plan for meeting the country's growing energy needs. ¶3. (C) With regards to infrastructure, the Chinese are actively constructing or remodeling prominent civic structures and buildings. The formerly neglected State House, for example, became a renovation project once it became apparent that President Koroma had an interest in seeing it refurbished and utilized by his government (reftel C). A new Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been under review for some time and will be constructed near the Parliament building (reftel B). Additional current building projects include hospitals, schools, and stadiums. Reftel D outlines past projects. ¶4. (C) The Government of China has also been active in providing equipment and supplies to the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF). Uniforms and boots for the entire RSLAF contingent were donated in early 2008, and ten small boats were recently presented to the RSLAF Maritime Wing. The latter donation, however, came with stipulations that the boats cannot be used to address piracy involving Chinese fishermen engaging in illegal and over-fishing in Sierra Leonean waters. The Chinese have also promised the RSLAF a Y-12 light-winged surveillance aircraft for coastline patrol, though that promise is not expected to come to fruition soon. ¶5. (C) The Chinese support some training and visitor programs in China. Ambassador Wenju noted that they send approximately 100 Sierra Leoneans to China each year for training, which includes some military personnel. ¶6. (C) Little is known about the relationship between the current government and the Government of China. Ambassador Wenju mentioned during his February meeting with Ambassador Perry that it was unlikely a visit by President Koroma to Beijing could be scheduled during the 2008 calendar year, but it should be noted that the Minister of Defense recently returned from a visit to discuss further support for the RSLAF, including equipment. -------------- -------------- ENGAGEMENT, COORDINATION, COOPERATION BETWEEN MISSIONS -------------- -------------- ¶7. (C) Post maintains a cordial diplomatic relationship with the Chinese Mission in Sierra Leone (but has adhered to Department's guidance since the Tibet incidents). Ambassadors Perry and Wenju met, per reftel B, and discussed mutual political and development goals, and Ambassador has been invited to other events hosted at the Chinese Embassy. Post's Chinese counterparts are not regularly seen at meetings or throughout Freetown, and information on their activities here is rarely shared. Ambassador Wenju does attend a monthly Chiefs of Mission meeting hosted by the UN, and also participated in joint discussions between the international community and the Presidential candidates in the 2007 election to urge calm and responsible behavior. Chinese regularly attend the Peace-Building Commission meetings. ¶8. (C) Improving cooperation and coordination requires increased discourse between the two missions. Encouragement with regards to transparency of information and action would be invaluable, particularly to ensure complementarity in development assistance and diplomacy goals. -------------- SIERRA LEONEAN PERCEPTION OF CHINA FREETOWN 00000208 002 OF 002 -------------- ¶9. (C) Anti-Chinese sentiment is growing in Sierra Leone, in part due to their involvement in the fishing, timber, and extractive industries. Many view their presence here with suspicion and skepticism, believing that Chinese interest is solely based on their desire to exploit and profit from the country's natural resources, rather than altruism. Sierra Leoneans generally perceive that the benefits the Chinese are reaping from the country are far greater in value than programs and assistance the Chinese government provides in return. With a regular and unaccounted for number of Chinese entering Sierra Leone to work in the sectors mentioned, or engage in petty trading, there is a strong chance that negative opinion will continue to proliferate. -------------- COMMENT -------------- ¶10. (C) While technical assistance projects are important in a country with significant need in nearly all sectors, the infrastructure projects do little by way of enhancing capacity. Local laborers hired for construction do receive some training, and some are even sent to China to learn specific techniques, but Chinese workers still form the core team for oversight, management, and implementation of construction projects. Given the "showy" nature of the projects selected, such as large-scale, highly-visible buildings, they are often difficult to maintain. Ambassador Wenju stated that teams from China assist with maintenance for a few years after the projects are completed, but long-term maintenance continues to be a problem. ¶11. (C) Ambassador Wenju and his team are very quiet contributors within the diplomatic community, infrequently offering their opinions or comments. Their opinions and comments when voiced, however, are often completely in-line with the thoughts offered by their Western counterparts, including the USG. Still, their lack of visibility lends an enigmatic air to their presence in Sierra Leone that creates, at the very least, an illusion that not seeking regular opportunities for engagement is an element of a larger strategy. END COMMENT. PERRY