Chinese Government provides RMB 70 million grant — via ETCA — for Chinese Buildings Renovation Project (Linked to Record ID#37882, #37880, #37877)

Project narrative

On June 22, 2016, the Chinese Government and the Government of Cook Islands signed an agreement for the implementation of a feasibility study for the Chinese Buildings Renovation Project. Then, on October 16, 2017, the Chinese Government and the Government of Cook Islands signed an implementation agreement for the Chinese Buildings Renovation Project. China’s Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) committed RMB 70 million of grant funding for this project. The grant proceeds were drawn from multiple Economic and Technical Cooperation Agreements (ETCAs) signed by the two governments. One of these ETCAs was signed on November 18, 2016 and it committed RMB 20 million (NZ $4.2 million) of grant funding. Another one of the ETCA was signed on December 7, 2017 and it committed RMB 30 million of grant funding. The purpose of the project was to repair and renovate three buildings previously constructed with financial support from the Chinese Government: the Bluesky Sports Arena (exact locational coordinates: 21.207109, -159.808754), the Ministry of Justice Building (exact locational coordinates: -21.207251, -159.774899), and National Police Headquarters (exact locational coordinates: -21.206014, -159.777827). China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation was initially selected as the contractor responsible for the implementation of this project. However, it was subsequently replaced by the Cook Islands Investment Corporation (CIIC), which owns and manages the Bluesky Sports Arena, the Ministry of Justice (Courthouse) Building, and and National Police Headquarters. In September 2017, CIIC hosted two Chinese technical assistance teams that conducted technical and structural inspections on the three buildings that will undergo renovations. These teams consisted of engineers specializing in electrical, structural, water supply and drainage, heating, and ventilation. The preliminary results from these inspections were discussed and endorsed by CIIC and the China working groups. The project was originally expected to commenced in early 2018 and take 18-24 months to reach completion. Multiple sources confirm that the project entered implementation, but its precise implementation start date is unknown. As of May 5, 2018, the renovations for the courthouse and police station were completed.