chinese relations in the congo basin

For those interested in understanding in greater detail China's bilateral relations with countries in the Congo Basin (Cameroon, Congo, Gabon), see link below:

http://www.cifor.org/publications/pdf_files/WPapers/WP67Putzel.pdf.

Very interesting stuff.

The report is mainly concerned how Chinese trade and investment in the forestry, mining and agricultural sectors might impact forests and forest-dependent communities in the heavily forested regions of the basin. It relies heavily on studies of Chinese trade and investment in the region, providing great insight into bilateral relations.

Note section 5.2 re how the Chinese operate in the region (northeast Gabon, very close to SDL tenements).

"The Comibel deal (Belinga deposit.
In 2006, a large iron mining concession located
in the Belinga mountains in northeast Gabon was
awarded to the Chinese joint-venture Comibel
(Compagnie minière Bélinga) over a Brazilian bidder.

Apart from these official reasons, many rumours
circulated. One allegation was that bribes of several
million CFA francs were delivered every week to
senior government officials. It was also alleged that
former French president Jacques Chirac spoke in
favour of the Chinese to prevent the Brazilians from
taking the market in Gabon (Jansson et al. 2009)."

Forget a new bidder for SDL, China have this one in the bag.