China and Niue signed a joint communique in Wellington of New
Zealand on Wednesday, announcing they have decided to establish
diplomatic relations at ambassadorial level, effective from 12
December, 2007.
The joint communique was signed by Zhang Yuanyuan, Chinese
ambassador to New Zealand, and Mititaiagimen Young Vivian, premier
of Niue, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry.
The joint communique said that the Chinese government supports
the government of Niue in its aspirations to protect, retain and
develop the culture of Niue and to participate to the greatest
possible extent in international and regional activities.
It said that the government of Niue recognizes that there is
only one China in the world, the Government of the People's
Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the
whole of China and Taiwan is an inalienable part of the territory
of China. The Niue Government undertakes not to have any official
relations with Taiwan.
Chinese Foreign Ministry Qin Gang said on Wednesday China is
ready to establish and develop friendly and cooperative ties with
all the countries in the world, on the basis of the five principles
of peaceful coexistence.
He said the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and
Niue and the development of friendly and cooperative ties between
the two countries are in the common interests of both peoples.
He said China is ready to continue to promote its relations with
the Pacific island countries including Niue, to contribute to
safeguarding and promoting regional peace, stability and
development.
Niue is located in south Pacific Ocean with an area of 260
square kilometers and a population of roughly 19,000. Formerly a
dependency of New Zealand, it started self-governing in 1974.
Niue is now a member of the United Nations Educational,
Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the World Health
Organization (WHO), the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO),
the Pacific Islands Forum and South Pacific Tourism
Organization.
(Xinhua News Agency December 13, 2007)
