From July 15 to 18, H.E. Du Qiwen, China-Pacific Island Forum Dialogue Special Envoy, led a delegation to visit the Cook Island. H.E. Wang Lutong, China's Ambassador to New Zealand and the Cook Islands, accompanied the delegation.

During the visit, Special Envoy Du met with H.E. Henry Puna, Prime Minister of the Cook Islands, and all Cabinet members respectively; attended the reception held by the Cook Islands in celebration of the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries; and participated in the seminar entitled "Cook Islands and China: A Future of Enhanced Connectivity". Special Envoy Du also had a number of other engagements, including a luncheon with Mr and Mrs Puna; a meeting with the financial community; a field visit of the Apii Nikao Primary School reconstruction project aided by China; and a visit to the Confucius Classroom in the Cook Islands Campus of Univeristy of South Pacific.

Special Envoy Du noted that, over the 20 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and the Cook Islands, mutual trust between the two countries has deepened. There have been remarkable achievements in various fields, including economic development, technical cooperation and cultural exchanges, laying a solid foundation for the future development of China-Cook Islands relations. China is willing to work with the Cook Islands to promote the continuous development of bilateral relations for the benefit of the two peoples.

Prime Minister Puna and other officials of the Cook Islands noted that, the Cook Islands cherishes its relations with China and is very grateful for China's help rendered over the past 20 years. The Cook Islands adheres to the one China policy as the cornerstone of Cook Islands-China relations, and will never waiver on this stance. The Cook Islands is willing to work with China to promote pragmatic cooperation in various fields to scale new heights in bilateral relations.