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Prime Minister Dr Robert Woonton will discuss possible funding for a new national sports stadium for the 2009 South Pacific Mini Games when he makes a state visit to China next week.
The prime minister says he also plans to ask the Chinese government whether they are interested in helping out with inter-island sea transport in the Cook Islands on a joint venture basis and will discuss the possibility of the Chinese setting up a full embassy here.
Other discussions will centre on the $4.8 million Rarotonga courthouse project which is expected to be completed later in the year and a new headquarters for the Cook Islands Police Service which will also be funded and built by the Chinese government.
Dr Woonton says the Chinese government has accepted the police headquarters project at discussion level and has been given plans for the building, and the Cook Islands government is now waiting for official approval.
During his seven day visit, which Dr Woonton describes as a great honour for himself and for the Cook Islands, the prime minister will meet both premier Wen Jiabao and President Hu Jintao.
Dr Woonton says he is excited about the visit, particularly as China’s strong economy offers good trade opportunities for the Cook Islands.
“The Chinese have the fastest-growing economy in the world and I see potential for Cook Islands pearls and fish products. “It’s the largest market in the world. Even developed countries are vying for business partnerships there.
“There is also potential to develop our information technology and we will be importing a lot of phones and computers from China. They are even more modern than the ones we get from our closer neighbours in the Pacific.”
Dr Woonton said some people had questioned what the Chinese would want in return for the aid they had given the Cook Islands.
“To date, the only request they have asked our government is to recognise China. The one China policy has been adopted by resolution of the United Nations and we recognise the People’s Republic of China as the true Chinese government.”
It is only the second time a Cook Islands leader has made a state visit to China – the last was in 1998 when then prime minister Sir Geoffrey Henry visited the country after establishing diplomatic ties in 1997.
“That friendship has grown from strength to strength and we value that friendship,” Dr Woonton said.
The prime minister will go to Shanghai, Xian in Shaanxi Province and Beijing. He will make a brief visit to the 60th Session of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific which is being held in Shangai from April 22 to 28 and will also visit the China Civil Engineering Corporation headquarters.
He will be accompanied by his wife, Sue Woonton, the Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Immigration Edwin Pittman and Senior Sergeant Leighton Boaza of the Cook Islands Police Service who will act as security officer.
The prime minister is making his visit at the invitation of the Chinese government and airfares and other costs will be paid by China. Meal and accommodation costs for stopovers on the way to and from China will be paid from the Civil List. |
