China in the Pacific - increasing activity

Thought some of you may be interested in the following. This extract is from the CI Herald of 19 March.

"Pitt Media Group director, Shona Pitt and Govmedia’s, Bobby Turua will be leaving for China tomorrow to attend the Professional Program for Media Professionals from Pacific Island Countries. Lectures will be given by professors of the China Foreign Affairs University and other university officials. The pair will also endure nine two-hour lectures and will also visit the Great Wall of China, the Forbidden City, and Summer Palace and will get to see the Acrobatic and Martial Art Show and Peking Opera. Representatives from other pacific islands will also attend the program. The trip has been sponsored by the Minister of Commerce of China and is organized by China Foreign Affairs University."

The mind boggles as to what Pacific Island news people will be 'taught'.

These next two are from Tuatua Tika on the dates stated:

"China to fund sports stadium. China has agreed to fund Rarotonga's indoor sports stadium to the tune of $4 million. The stadium needs to be ready for the 2009 South Pacific Mini Games. Foreign Affairs Minister Wilkie Rasmussen has just returned from a world tour trying to drum up finance and aid and said yesterday China would provide the main amount of money required. It would be transferred from the aid earmarked for the Nikao-Takuvaine highway project. - March 20 2007"

"China to fund back road improvement. The Republic of China has promised to pay $7.5 million towards upgrading the 5.5 km stretch of back road between Nikao and Takuvaine. The aim is to make the road 10 metres wide. The Cook Islands Government, however, will have to find the money for local costs which will include moving power poles, telephone cables and trees as well as replacing or relocating private hedges and fences and concrete pavement driveways. - March 15 2007"

So in Rarotonga there is already the famous Court House and the Police Station. Now roads and sports stadium.

How fortunate for CI to benefit from such generosity. offered with no strings attached.......or has somone already mentioned a Space Tracking Station or the Fishing Rights?