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DE RUEHUJA #0428/01 0561440
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O R 251435Z FEB 10
FM AMEMBASSY ABUJA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0428
INFO RHEHNSC/WHITE HOUSE NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHINGTON DC
RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 0003
RUEHC/USAID WASHDC 0002
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 0026
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 0023
RUEHOS/AMCONSUL LAGOS
RUEHRO/AMEMBASSY ROME 0025
RUEHUJA/AMEMBASSY ABUJA
RUEKJCS/OSD WASHINGTON DC
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC

UNCLAS ABUJA 000428 
 
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SIPDIS 
STATE FOR AF/W AND EAP/CM 
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PARIS FOR BAIN AND KANEDA 
LONDON FOR PLORD 
ROME FOR AF WATCHER 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL PGOV ETRD EAID CH NI
SUBJECT: Chinese Engagement in Nigeria 
 
REF: STATE 10152; 09 ABUJA 2170; 09 ABUJA 2003; 09 LAGOS 271 
 
¶1.  (SBU)  Per ref A, please find post input for use in the March 4 
AF-led U.S.-China sub-regional dialogue. 
 
 
 
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Overall Chinese Engagement 
 
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¶2.  (U)  Please review reftels B-D for more extensive reporting on 
this topic. 
 
 
 
¶3.  (U)  On January 15, Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria Xu Jianguo 
told the Financial Times that "China and Nigeria have been 
cooperating in areas like agriculture, telecommunications, 
infrastructure, manufacture, energy, high-tech and so on.  Closer 
economic contacts are in the interest of the two countries."  When 
asked about the oil and gas cooperation between China and Nigeria, 
Xu said, "Nigeria is a major oil-producer in Africa.  China 
encourages the Chinese oil companies to seek cooperation with 
Nigeria based on the principle of mutual benefit.  The energy 
cooperation between China and Nigeria is currently at a starting 
stage," adding, "but there is a huge potential." 
 
 
 
¶4.  (U)  Chinese Embassy's Economic and Commercial Counselor, Mr. 
Rong Yanson, told Nigerian press during a February visit to Kaduna 
that China's investments in Nigeria were $7.24 billion in 2009 and 
covered such areas as petroleum, iron and steel, manufacturing, 
agriculture, fisheries and pharmaceuticals.  Rong said that China 
had "excellent bilateral relations with Nigeria, adding that 
efforts would be made to strengthen the relations to the benefit of 
both countries." The press quoted Rong as stating, "The [Nigerian] 
Government has provided an enabling environment for Chinese 
companies to operate in the country."  He continued, "The Chinese 
enterprises have made great contributions to Nigeria's economy and 
they have enjoyed a sound business relationship with Nigerian 
firms."  Rong was in the northern city to assess development of 
Kaduna's Millennium City and its attractiveness to foreign 
investors, commended the Kaduna State Government for supporting 
foreign companies operating in the state, and noted that six 
Chinese firms had signed trade co-operation agreements with the 
Kaduna State government. "There are a lot of opportunities in 
Kaduna, such as the Millennium City infrastructure, construction 
projects, water supply and hydro-based power projects," the press 
quoted Rong.  He congratulated the state government for its efforts 
at developing the local economy through trade ties with China and 
assured the press that the Chinese government would collaborate 
with the Kaduna Chambers of Commerce and Industry in capacity 
building. 
 
 
 
¶5.  (U)  Nigeria-China Friendship Association (NICAF) 
Founder/Chairman Ambassador Victor Chibundu said the Chinese 
People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries 
(CPAFFC), including local government officials and corporate 
bodies, would pay an official visit to Nigeria from April 19-21 to 
boost bilateral and diplomatic ties.  Founded in 1954, the Chinese 
People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries is a 
 
parastatal of the People's Republic of China government responsible 
for "promoting friendship and mutual understanding between Chinese 
and other people all over the world."  The association, according 
to Chibundu, was the link between Nigeria and China before and 
until the establishment of diplomatic relations between both 
countries in February 1971. 
 
 
 
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No Examples of U.S.-China Collaboration 
 
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¶6.  (U)  The Mission's USAID Program Office, which is the point of 
contact for USAID on donor coordination, is not aware of any 
examples of U.S.-China on-the-ground collaboration in development 
activities in Nigeria. 
 
 
 
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Low Potential for U.S.-China Collaboration 
 
------------------------------------------ 
 
 
 
¶7.  (U)  Donor countries resident in Nigeria follow the Country 
Partnership Strategy as the current framework for collaboration 
with other donors, but China does not participate.  Another forum 
for donor coordination is the Heads of Donor Agencies, but China 
has not been represented to date. 
 
 
 
¶8.  (SBU)  Comment:  The Mission's primary goals for Nigeria under 
its four Mission Strategic Plan (MSP) Pillars include: Governing 
Justly and Democratically (creating an environment conducive to 
fair, free and credible elections; peaceful and constitutional 
presidential succession); Investing in People; Economic Growth and 
Trade (combating corruption); and, Peace and Security (which 
includes the Niger Delta).  The nature of these goals limits the 
potential areas of collaboration between the U.S. and the Chinese 
in Nigeria.  End Comment. 
 
 
 
¶9.  (U)  The Embassy coordinated this telegram with ConGen Lagos. 
SANDERS