24 Oct 2008

Niue set for formal ties with China

3:21 pm on 24 October 2008

Niue's premier, Toke Talagi, says his country will soon establish formal diplomatic ties with a number of countries.

China became the first country to formally establish diplomatic ties with Niue, with Ambassador Zhang Limin presenting his credentials to Mr Talagi in a ceremony in Alofi last weekend.

Mr Talagi says the government is in the process of developing formal diplomatic links with other countries.

"I think we need to move on from where we were, and we formalise the relations that a number of countries have been interested in establishing with us. I think its just part of the maturation process, if you wish, that Niue must go through, and should go through."

Mr Talagi says there have been development links between Niue and China for a number of years.