China grants $4 million to Cook Islands for supporting Taiwan stance

1.00pm

China has granted the Cook Islands $4 million in aid in return for recognising China's "ownership of Taiwan".

How the money will spent is to be agreed on between the two governments in the near future. The grant follows a co-operation package involving the construction of a courthouse and work on the islands' police headquarters.

The grant was announced this week while Cook Islands Prime Minister Robert Woonton was on a state visit to the people's republic.

"Some people may still be asking what the Chinese will want from us in return for their assistance, but their only requirement is for the Cook Islands to recognise China's legitimate ownership of Taiwan," Dr Woonton told the Cook Islands News from Beijing.

His visit to Beijing followed a two day visit to Shanghai, where he attended the opening session of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific.

- NZPA