Chinese grant special favour in document
When Minister Teina Bishop visited China for the second time recently, he took with him copies of the document that was signed between our government and the government of the PRC 14 years ago in which the Cook Islands government recognized the Government of the People’s Republic China as the sole legal government of China.
In his meetings with Chinese businesses, he made available to them copies of the document.
That document, the “Joint Communiqué between the Cook Islands and the People’s Republic of China on the establishment of Diplomatic Relations” was signed in Wellington NZ on 25 July 1997 by Iaveta Short, Cook Islands High Commissioner to NZ for the Government of the Cook Islands and Huang Guifang for the Government of the People’s Republic of China (see copy below).
The interesting aspect of the document and one which those intending to visit China to conduct business should note, is the fourth paragraph.
This paragraph states:
“The Government of the People’s Republic of China supports the people of the Cook Islands in their efforts to achieve, in full, their objectives in the areas of social, economic and cultural development.”
What is interesting is we have a statement where a foreign government expresses support for the “people” as opposed to our “government.”
In effect it represents a special favour, extended by a grateful China to ordinary Cook Islanders.
The Chinese are indicating that through the document, relations will not be restricted to just diplomatic level but that relations with China will extend further into Cook Islands society. China has opened the door to ordinary Cook Islanders.
The Minister has realized the opportunities which could accrue from this document and his recent achievements in China are just the beginning. -Charles Pitt

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