VZCZCXRO0417
OO RUEHCN RUEHGH RUEHMR RUEHPA RUEHRN RUEHVC
DE RUEHBJ #3548/01 3101204
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 061204Z NOV 06
FM AMEMBASSY BEIJING
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 1825
INFO RUEHZO/AFRICAN UNION COLLECTIVE
RUEHOO/CHINA POSTS COLLECTIVE
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 2998
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 3971

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 04 BEIJING 023548 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR AF, EAP, EAP/CM 
INR FOR GILLES 
USUN FOR PHEE 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/06/2016 
TAGS: PREL PGOV AGOA ECON EAID CH
SUBJECT: PRC/AFRICA: PRC SEEKS NEW STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP 
WITH AFRICA AT BEIJING SUMMIT 
 
REF: A. BEIJING 22370 
     ¶B. OSC CPP20061104968073 
     ¶C. BEIJING 22919 
     ¶D. BEIJING 22713 
 
Classified By: Political External Unit Chief Edgard Kagan.  Reasons 1.4 
 (b/d). 
 
Summary 
------- 
 
¶1. (C) Representatives from 48 African countries, including 
41 Heads of State or Government, converged on Beijing for the 
November 3-5 Beijing Summit and Third Ministerial of the 
Forum for China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC)(Ref A).  The PRC 
played up its desire to forge a "new strategic partnership" 
with Africa through the Beijing Summit.  President Hu Jintao 
announced an eight-point trade, investment and development 
assistance package for Africa through 2009, complete with 
multi-billion dollar aid and trade initiatives.  While 
African Heads of State and delegates generally welcomed Hu's 
proposals, at least one African Foreign Minister and several 
other African observers lamented the absence of African 
initiatives.  As expected, the Beijing Summit produced the 
Beijing Declaration and the Beijing Action Plan 
(2006-2009)(Ref A), both largely drafted by China. 
Governments of the five countries that still recognize Taiwan 
did not send delegations to the Beijing Summit, diverging 
from past practices related to FOCAC Ministerials and 
surprising many observers in Beijing.  These African 
governments "hurt the feelings of the Chinese people," PRC 
Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing said, who added that "so-called" 
diplomatic relations with Taiwan pose a "direct threat" to 
China.  Septel will report on economic agreements announced 
during the Beijing Summit.  End Summary. 
 
Africans Turn Out In Force 
-------------------------- 
 
¶2. (C) President Hu Jintao and the Heads of State or 
Government and senior officials from 48 African countries 
convened at the Great Hall of the People for FOCAC's Beijing 
Summit on November 4.  The five African countries that 
recognize Taiwan were invited to attend the Beijing Summit as 
observers but chose to stay away.  President Hu opened the 
Beijing Summit with a keynote address that was warmly 
applauded by a packed auditorium of more than 1,700 African 
delegates and observers at the Great Hall of the People. 
FOCAC's Co-Chair Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi and 
African Union President and Republic of Congo (Brazzaville) 
President Denis Sassou-Nguesso also delivered speeches at the 
opening ceremonies.  Later in the day, Premier Wen Jiabao and 
Prime Minister Meles Zenawi convened a High-Level Economic 
Dialogue of Chinese and African Leaders and Businessmen.  The 
Beijing Summit wrapped up on November 5 with two closed 
sessions between Chinese and African leaders where the 
Beijing Declaration was discussed and adopted (Ref A).  The 
Beijing Action Plan (2006-2009), FOCAC's roadmap for 
Sino-African relations for the next three years, was adopted 
during the November 3 Ministerial (Ref A).  To conclude the 
Beijing Summit, President Hu, Prime Minister Zenawi and 
Egyptian President Mubarak read portions of the Beijing 
Declaration (Egypt will host the next FOCAC Ministerial in 
2009).  Afterward, PRC Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing, 
Ethiopian Foreign Minister Seyoum Mesfin and Egyptian Foreign 
Minister Ahmed Abul Gheit held a joint press conference. 
 
PRC Seeks "New Strategic Partnership" 
------------------------------------- 
 
¶3. (SBU) The PRC sought to forge a "new strategic 
partnership" with Africa through the Beijing Summit. 
President Hu Jintao announced the centerpiece of the new 
strategic partnership in his key note address at the Beijing 
Summit, outlining a five-point political proposal to 
strengthen Sino-African comprehensive ties and an eight-point 
economic proposal to enhance China's trade, investment and 
development assistance in Africa (Ref B).  Under the 
eight-point economic proposal, President Hu said the PRC will: 
 
-- Double assistance to Africa by 2009. 
 
-- Provide USD 3 billion in preferential loans and USD 2 
billion of preferential buyer's credits to Africa over the 
next three years. 
 
BEIJING 00023548  002 OF 004 
 
 
 
-- Create a development fund of up to USD 5 billion to 
encourage Chinese investment in Africa. 
 
-- Build an African Union conference center. 
 
-- Cancel debt in the form of all interest-free government 
loans that had matured by the end of 2005 owed by 
heavily-indebted poor countries (HIPCs) and least developed 
countries (LDCs) with diplomatic relations with the PRC. 
 
-- Extend zero-tariff treatment to 440 items (from 190) China 
imports from African LDCs. 
 
-- Create three to five trade and economic cooperation zones 
in Africa over the next three years. 
 
-- Increase China's human resources assistance over the next 
three years to Africa by: training 15,000 African 
professionals, establishing ten special agricultural 
technology demonstration centers in Africa, building 30 
hospitals in Africa, providing RMB 300 million (approximately 
USD 37.5 million) in grant money "for providing artemisinin 
and building 30 malaria prevention and treatment centers in 
Africa," building 100 rural schools in Africa and granting up 
to 4,000 scholarships per year for Africans to study in China. 
 
¶4. (SBU) President Hu's five-point political proposal for the 
new China-Africa strategic partnership is expressly designed 
to: 
 
-- Deepen political relations of equality and mutual trust 
with Africa through high-level contacts and regular, 
high-level political dialogue. 
 
-- Broaden "win-win" economic cooperation. 
 
-- Expand cultural exchanges. 
 
-- Promote with Africa balanced and harmonious global 
development, by, among other means, urging developed 
countries to honor promises on market access, aid and debt 
relief. 
 
-- Strengthen cooperation and mutual support in international 
affairs through "promoting democracy in international 
relations" and enhancing "international security cooperation." 
 
Zenawi Stresses Economic Development 
------------------------------------ 
 
¶5. (C) African leaders also addressed the Beijing Summit at 
the opening ceremonies.  Following President Hu, Ethiopian 
Prime Minister Meles Zenawi called the Beijing Summit 
"historic" and said the event indicated China and Africa's 
strong desire to intensify relations.  Diverging slightly 
from President Hu's theme, PM Zenawi said that the 
Sino-African strategic partnership is not new, but has been 
renewed and reaffirmed by the Beijing Summit.  Africa's main 
challenges are to fight poverty and promote peace, stability 
and good governance.  China's peaceful development and 
economic success have created changed circumstances so that 
China can now make a marked impact.  Economic development is 
critical for Africa and Africa seeks to attract more Chinese 
investment and trade.  China and Africa have complementary 
economies.  Africa historically has not had balanced economic 
relations with other continents.  Africa and China both need 
peace and stability and a tranquil global environment for 
development.  By producing one of the largest gatherings of 
African leaders in history, the Beijing Summit shows the 
value African leaders attach to the strategic partnership, PM 
Zenawi underscored. 
 
Sassou-Nguesso Pays Tribute 
--------------------------- 
 
¶6. (C) Speaking after PM Meles Zenawi at the opening 
ceremonies, Congo President Sassou-Nguesso extolled the PRC's 
long commitment to African liberation struggles.  Praising 
the FOCAC mechanism, President Sassou-Nguesso said that 
Sino-African cooperation will achieve higher levels over the 
next three years because China pledged support for the New 
Economic Partnership for African Development (NEPAD), the 
Millennium Development Goals and early resumption of the Doha 
round of global trade talks.  Africa also highly commends 
 
BEIJING 00023548  003 OF 004 
 
 
China's active participation in international peacekeeping 
operations in China.  President Sassou-Nguesso concluded his 
remarks by lauding China's "highly admirable and tremendous 
achievements" in economic development and paid "tribute" to 
China on behalf of Africa. 
 
Many Impressed, Some Skeptical 
------------------------------ 
 
¶7. (C) Exiting the Great Hall of the People after the opening 
ceremonies, a number of African delegates said they were 
deeply impressed with President Hu's proposals.  Delegates 
from Guinea, Liberia, Botswana, Ghana and South Africa all 
separately told Poloff that President Hu's proposals 
demonstrate that China intends to assist Africa on the basis 
of "win-win" and mutual benefit.  "These are very strong 
proposals that can greatly help Africa," the Botswana 
delegate said, "and we look forward to moving ahead as 
partners."  The Liberia delegate said President Hu's 
proposals are "concrete" and "action-oriented." 
 
¶8. (C) Senegal Foreign Minister Cheikh Tidiane Gadio offered 
a more muted assessment of President Hu's proposals, telling 
Poloff that he was disappointed African countries had put 
nothing on the table for China.  "We should also be setting 
the agenda," he said, adding that he hoped that the closed 
sessions between African and Chinese leaders would produce 
African initiatives.  A Nigerian delegate from Nigerian State 
Television was more pointed, dismissing the Beijing Summit as 
a "talk-shop" and stressing President Hu's agenda as "simply 
proposals."  "The question," the Nigerian said, "is what 
happens practically to implement the agenda."  A Senegalese 
journalist appearing on CCTV 9, China's official 
English-language channel, later echoed FM Gadio's 
observations almost verbatim, underscoring the absence of 
African proposals to balance the relationship.  NOTE: While 
the Embassy has not received any readouts from the closed 
sessions between Chinese and African leaders, the Beijing 
Summit's concluding ceremonies and joint press conference did 
not indicate any specific African initiatives.  END NOTE. 
 
Hurting China's Feelings 
------------------------ 
 
¶9. (C) The PRC invited the five African countries that 
recognize Taiwan to attend the Beijing Summit as observers, 
but not at the Head of State or Government level, consistent 
with past practices.  Unlike at the 2000 or 2003 FOCAC 
Ministerials, no observer delegations from Burkina Faso, 
Gambia, Malawi, Swaziland and Sao Tome and Principe attended, 
a development that appears to have surprised many PRC 
observers (Ref C).  At the Beijing Summit's closing press 
conference, Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing said that five 
governments with "so called" diplomatic relations with Taiwan 
"hurt the feelings of the Chinese people."  Maintaining 
relations with Taiwan is "not so normal," contravenes the 
United Nations charter and constitutes a "direct threat" to 
China, FM Li contended.  The PRC hopes the five African 
governments can return to the "correct position" and join the 
169 countries and myriad international organizations that 
adhere to a one China policy, Li said. 
 
¶10. (C) Libya, Tunisia, the Central African Republic, Chad, 
Guinea, Cote d'Ivoire, and the Democratic Republic of Congo 
(DROC) were not represented at the Head of State or 
Government level, contacts told us.  Vice President Abdoulaye 
Yerodia Ndombasi represented DROC.  Tunisia, Chad and Cote 
d'Ivoire officials were unavailable, but a French embassy 
contact told us that domestic political considerations 
prevented Cote d'Ivoire from sending President Laurent Gbagbo 
or Prime Minister Chrles Konan Banny.  According the Central 
African Republic Embassy in Beijing, Foreign Minister 
Ngoupande stood in for President Francois Bozize, who cut 
short his trip to China on November 2 when rebels captured 
Birao, near Sudan.  Foreign Minister Mamadi Conde represented 
Guinea and a Guinean delegate at the Great Hall of the People 
told Poloff that President Lansana Conte could not travel to 
Beijing due to poor health.  Minister of Development and 
International Cooperation Mohamed Nouri Jouini represented 
Tunisia, according to press reports.  A local Beijing 
journalist told us Libya sent the equivalent of an African 
Office Director as its senior representative.  The journalist 
said he had been told by Libya's representative in Beijing 
that Libyan Head of State Qaddafi believed the Beijing Summit 
should have been between Asia and Africa and that China 
 
BEIJING 00023548  004 OF 004 
 
 
should not be able to group all African countries together 
for a "bilateral" conference. 
 
Widespread Media Coverage 
------------------------- 
 
¶11. (C) The PRC ensured widespread media access to the 
Beijing Summit, granting credentials to hundreds of local and 
international journalists, establishing a press center and 
busing journalists to media events.  In addition to the 
closing joint press conference, MFA Spokesman Liu Jianchao 
briefed the press and fielded questions on November 3, after 
the FOCAC Ministerial.  The MFA also organized a press 
conference for Sudan President Omar Bashir and press 
availability for Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf on 
November 3.  Daily and special briefings were also held in 
the run-up to the Beijing Summit (Ref D).  State run CCTV 4 
and CCTV 9 broadcast the opening ceremonies, the opening 
statements at the High-Level Economic Dialogue, the readout 
of the Beijing Declaration and the closing press conference 
live in Chinese and English respectively. 
 
¶12. (C) The PRC Foreign Ministry paid for many African 
journalists to attend the summit, putting them up for up to 
five days in the Beijing International News Plaza Hotel, 
where the press center was located.  Kenyan, Tanzanian, 
Ugandan and South African journalists told Poloff they were 
pleased with the arrangements although their schedules 
allowed them little free time.  Some of the journalists were 
attached to presidential delegations and some from the 
private sector.  A South African journalist for Business Day 
told Poloff that while he appreciated the free trip to China, 
Beijing's motives were transparent: "They want the coverage 
to tell their story and that's it."  During Liu's November 3 
press conference, only one African journalist was called upon 
for questioning, but a number of Africans spoke up at the 
closing joint press conference.  At least two Western 
journalists complained to Poloff that their access to African 
principals was limited by the PRC's control over logistic 
arrangements. 
 
Africans Impressed By Ceremonies 
-------------------------------- 
 
¶13. (C) More than 1,700 members of the African delegations, 
including the foreign ministers and finance ministers of most 
participating African countries, along with members of the 
Beijing-based diplomatic community and a sizable 
international and domestic press contingent, witnessed the 
opening ceremonies of the Beijing Summit at the Great Hall of 
the People's.  On the way into the auditorium, illuminated 
displays touted China's involvement in Africa with 
photographs and historical narratives that highlighted 
high-level visits, Chinese medical teams and Chinese 
contributions to Africa's infrastructure development and 
peacekeeping operations.  a bank of flowers covered the dais 
and red banners quoting the Beijing Summit's theme of 
"friendship, cooperation and development" hung from the 
balcony of the cavernous meeting hall.  Jumbo video screens 
optimized viewing while the hosts provided simultaneous 
translation in Chinese, English, Portuguese, Spanish, French 
and Arabic.  African delegates were impressed with the 
preparations.  As one Botswana delegate told Poloff, "China's 
development is inspiring." 
Randt