On September 16 - 25, Special Envoy for the China-Pacific Islands Forum Dialogue Mr Du Qiwen led a Chinese government delegation to visit Niue and the Cook Islands. Commercial Counsellor Zhang Fan from the Chinese Embassy accompanied Mr Du Qiwen on the visit.

        During his visit to Niue, Special Envoy Du Qiwen met with the Prime Minister of Niue Toke Talagi and had a working breakfast with the Secretary to Government Richard Hipa, the Financial Secretary Poitogia Kapaga, the Head of the Crown Law Office Pleni Talagi and Niue's High Commissioner to New Zealand Mrs O'Love Jacobsen. Special Envoy Du Qiwen also attended Niue's National Day celebration.

        During his visit to the Cook Islands, Special Envoy Du Qiwen met with the Prime Minister of the Cook Islands Henry Puna, Deputy Prime Minister Teariki Heather, Minister of Agriculture Kiriau Turepu and Leader of the Opposition William Heather. Special Envoy Du and Prime Minister Puna jointly singed an exchange of letters on the Apii Nikao School construction project, which China has supported. Special Envoy Du also attended the handover ceremony for a Cook Islands agricultural machinery project which China had also provided aid for. Special Envoy Du Qiwen visited the Cook Islands TV station, the Cook Islands radio station and the editorial department of the Cook Islands Herald. Mr Du also visited other projects which China had provided assistance to and met with personnel from Chinese enterprises and teachers from the Cook Islands' Confucius classroom.

        Special Envoy Du Qiwen exchanged in-depth views with the leaders of Niue and the Cook Islands on issues including China - Niue relations, China - Cook Islands relations and economic & technological cooperation. Special Envoy Du noted that China was willing to work with Niue and the Cook Islands to promote bilateral exchanges at all levels and expand cooperation in various fields. The leaders from Niue and the Cook Islands expressed their gratitude towards China for the long-term aid and support provided and hoped to further advance friendly cooperative relations with China.