CHINESE AMBASSADOR WENJU'S TENURE IN SIERRA LEONE

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 FREETOWN 000350

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPT FOR AF/W, INR/AA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/21/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV SL
SUBJECT: CHINESE AMBASSADOR WENJU'S TENURE IN SIERRA LEONE
ENDS

REF: A. STATE 41697

B. FREETOWN 153

C. FREETOWN 147

D. FREETOWN 208

Classified By: Ambassador June Carter Perry for reasons 1.4b/d


1. (U) Please see the following update pursuant to reftel A:


2. (C) SUMMARY: Departing Chinese Ambassador to Sierra Leone
Cheng Wenju paid Ambassador Perry a courtesy call on June 24
to bid farewell and summarize his time in Sierra Leone. At a
July 8 farewell reception, Ambassador Wenju and Sierra
Leonean Minister of Foreign Affairs and International
Cooperation (MFA) Zainab Bangura outlined the positive
relationship between Sierra Leone and China. China's
long-term strategy of building bilateral relationships
through high profile contributions continues, though such
contributions fail to provide significant capacity-building
or development opportunities for Sierra Leone. END SUMMARY.

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COURTESY CALL ON AMBASSADOR PERRY
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3. (C) On June 24, Chinese Ambassador Cheng Wenju visited the
embassy for a farewell courtesy call and to solicit input
from Ambassador Perry as he compiled a summary report of his
tenure in Sierra Leone. He remarked that the current local
government election cycle was far more calm than the 2007
presidential and parliamentary cycle. Ambassador Perry
responded that the success of the 2007 cycle, particularly
the peaceful transition after the runoff, combined with
President Koroma's mission statement before Parliament, were
positive developments for the advancement of democracy in
Sierra Leone. Ambassador Perry offered insight on the role
that the U.S. Mission to Sierra Leone plays in advancing the
freedom and democratic participation of women in the
country's political and social arenas.


4. (C) Regarding long-term issues, Ambassador Perry referred
to the stress of overpopulation on vital infrastructure in
Freetown and the ongoing problem of youth unemployment. When
Ambassador Perry inquired about the Chinese government's
intentions to engage in infrastructure development,
Ambassador Wenju referenced high profile construction
projects (reftel B) that now include a road improvement
project between Bo and Kenema. Agriculture continues to be a
focus of Chinese assistance in Sierra Leone (reftel C).
Ambassador Wenju stated that seventeen Chinese experts and
technicians operate programs on rice cultivation and may
advance to projects that provide farm implements. The current
Chinese focus is limited to Freetown and Bo. (NOTE: In
previous discussions, Ambassador has raised continued concern
over human rights violations in China and the PRC's limited
training of Sierra Leoneans when building infrastructure.
This generates dependency on further Chinese assistance for
maintaining what was donated and the development of new
initiatives. END NOTE)


5. (C) Ambassador Wenju departed Freetown on July 11 and his
successor awaits confirmation. The unnamed, prospective
Ambassador to Sierra Leone from China served in New York,
Washington, and Europe. Ambassador Wenju expected the
earliest arrival date for his successor to be in mid- to late
August. Ambassador Wenju seemed to hold his potential
successor in high regard but shared a laugh with Ambassador
Perry in mentioning that Sierra Leone would be his first
experience in the developing world. Ambassador Wenju is en
route as Ambassador to Latvia after stopping in the PRC. The
U.S. and Chinese missions to Sierra Leone maintain cordial,
yet limited, diplomatic relations in line with previous
reporting (reftel D). The agricultural sector, employment,
and overall infrastructure improvement remain common focal
points for both countries in Sierra Leone.

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A FITTING FAREWELL RECEPTION
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6. (U) On July 8, MFA Zainab Bangura hosted a farewell
reception for Ambassador Wenju. Minister Bangura praised
Ambassador Wenju as a friend of Sierra Leone and encouraged
continued support for Sierra Leone. Minister Bangura listed
the rehabilitation of structures at the State House,
Parliament, Bo Stadium, and residence of the Vice President
as major contributions made by China through Ambassador
Wenju. Minister Bangura also emphasized the USD 4.5 million
no-interest loan and the provision of undergraduate and

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graduate scholarships for students in Sierra Leone. On the
broader political agenda, Minister Bangura restated Sierra
Leone's commitment to a One-China Policy. Despite these
positive statements, however, it must be noted that a
negative perception of the Chinese among many Sierra Leoneans
remains an issue for the Chinese Mission (reftel D). The
media reflects public suspicion that the Chinese and their
enterprises operating in Sierra Leone benefit the most from
the assistance provided under the auspices of "development."


7. (U) During his speech, Ambassador Wenju reiterated the
positive sentiments on the expansion of Sierra Leonean
democracy and the development potential of the country shared
during his visit with Ambassador Perry. He applauded the
administration of President Koroma for taking major steps to
fulfill campaign promises to fight corruption and to provide
energy. Ambassador Wenju referenced the ongoing struggles of
developing the agricultural sector and unemployment as major
issues for Sierra Leone. He reassured those in attendance
that China would continue to be a development partner to the
Government of Sierra Leone, and that his successor will work
to reinforce a stable society and establish a more robust
economy.

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COMMENT
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8. (C) Sierra Leone and China share overall amicable
bilateral relations but the perception that Chinese interests
disproportionately yield the benefits of their development
assistance persists. High profile initiatives, such as the
high-dollar no-interest loan and construction projects in
Freetown and Bo appear to prioritize immediate popular
coverage within the country. The short-term, highly visible
nature of such assistance is not matched by capacity-building
that allows Sierra Leoneans to sustain such projects in the
long-term without continued Chinese assistance. Whether this
represents a flaw or strategic design in the architecture of
Chinese development projects is currently unclear in Sierra
Leone. END COMMENT.
PERRY