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China is ready to enhance friendly relations with all south-Pacific nations including the Cook Islands, and the organisations in the region, Peoples Republic of China Premier Wen Jiabao has told Prime Minister Dr Robert Woonton.
According to a report on the Peoples Daily website, Wen said China would make joint efforts to develop the region’s economy, safeguard peace and protect its resources.
Speaking at a meeting on Tuesday, Wen outlined a four-point proposal which he said would enhance governmental and non-government contact between China and the Cook Islands. It would also safeguard the common interests of the two countries, explore more areas for cooperation on agriculture, fishery, and tourism, and maintain closer consultations and coordination in dealing with South-Pacific affairs.
China also supported the south-Pacific island countries' reasonable concerns on sustainable development, globalisation, and the transportation of nuclear wastes. China attached importance to its relations with the Cook Islands and would like to further the bilateral relationship, he added.
China and the Cook Islands had advocated that all nations, big or small, were equal since the two countries forged diplomatic ties in 1997.
The leaders of the two countries had maintained contact, and mutual understanding and friendship have been increasingly promoted. The two countries had also gained mutual benefit through trade cooperation.
China had provided the Cook Islands with assistance and had gained economic and social benefit from it, Wen said.
He also expressed appreciation for the Cook Islands’ commitment to the one-China policy.
Dr Woonton said he was deeply touched by China's equal treatment to such a small country as the Cook Islands. The two countries and their people had supported each other and kept close cooperation since the Cook Islands had forged diplomatic ties with China seven years ago.
He reaffirmed that the government of the Cook Islands adhered to the one-China policy, and would continue to work for friendly and cooperative relations with China.
After the talks, the two sides signed an economic and technological cooperation agreement.
The meeting with Premier Wen was one of the highlights of Dr Woonton’s state visit to China this week at the invitation of the Chinese government. He was also scheduled to meet President Hu Jintao.
Before he left, Dr Woonton revealed that he planned to discuss with the Chinese possible funding for a new national sports stadium for the 2009 South Pacific Mini Games.
He also planned to gauge interest in the Chinese government helping out with inter-island sea transport in the Cook Islands on a joint venture basis and to discuss the possibility of the Chinese setting up a full embassy here.
Other discussions would centre on the $4.8 million Rarotonga courthouse project and the new police headquarters which the Chinese have also offered to fund and build, the prime minister said.
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