On 8 November 2023, HE Qian Bo, Special Envoy for Pacific Island Countries Affairs of the Chinese Government, met with Hon Mark Brown, Chair of Pacific Islands Forum and Prime Minister of Cook Islands, during the 52nd Pacific Islands Forum Leaders’Meeting in Avarua, Cook Islands. 

Special Envoy Qian Bo introduced the fruitful outcomes of the 3rd Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, and congratulated the Cook Islands on its successful hosting of the Forum Leaders’Meeting. Qian said China attaches great importance to the development of China-Cook Islands relations, supports Pacific island countries’ effort to seek strength through unity and is willing to deepen practical cooperation under the Belt and Road framework to bring more benefits to the people of Pacific island countries. 

Prime Minister Brown expressed his appreciation for China’s support to the Cook Islands for hosting the Forum Leaders' Meeting, reiterated that the Cook Islands government adheres to the one-China principle and is willing to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with China both bilaterally and within the framework of the PIF to promote the sustained and steady growth of China-Cook Islands relations, and promote the development and prosperity of Pacific island countries.

During his stay in Cook Islands, Special Envoy Qian Bo also met with leaders of Kiribati, Fiji, Samoa, Niue, Solomon Islands and other Pacific island countries.