On March 7th local time, the newly appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China to the Cook Islands presented the Letter of Credence to HE Hon Sir Tom Marsters, Queen's Representative to the Cook Islands.

HE Hon Marsters warmly welcomed Ambassador Wang to assume the new position and requested Ambassador Wang to extend his best wishes to President Xi Jinping. Hon Marsters took this year as a milestone in the bilateral relations which marks the 25th anniversary of the formalization of diplomatic relations. He thanked the development partners including China for sharing experience and rendering assistance to help the Cook Islands weather the troubling times of the COVID, indicating further that the Cook Islands has benefited from the various infrastructure projects, grant arrangements and numerous people to people, technical and cultural exchanges over the course of diplomatic relations. According to Hon Marsters, the Cook Islands observes with admiration of China's remarkable development, tends to learn the valuable lessons from China's development , and seeks to cooperate with China further in areas such as agriculture, fisheries, climate change and technology. Hon Marsters reassured that the Cook Islands would endeavor to support Ambassador Wang in the performance of his mission and remain committed to further strengthening the bilateral relations.  

Ambassador Wang Xiaolong conveyed the warm regards of President Xi Jinping to Queen's Representative Hon Marsters. According to Ambassador Wang, China attaches great importance to the relations with the Cook Islands. Through concerted efforts of both sides, the past 25 years has seen ample development in the relationship, bringing tangible benefits to the two countries and peoples. Especially remarkable is the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership featuring mutual respect and common development, agreed between President Xi Jinping and the leaders of the Pacific Island countries including the Cook Islands in 2018, taking the bilateral relations to a new high and creating new opportunities for the bilateral exchanges and cooperation. Despite the differences in history,culture, natural endowments and national conditions, the common aspiration for development is an enduring bond bringing China and the Cook Islands closely together. Having realized the first centenary goal of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects, China is embarking on the new journey to accomplish the second centenary goal of building a modern socialist country and achieve national rejuvenation. The Cook Islands has also made admirable achievements in socio-economic development and prevention of the COVID-19. China will engage the Cook Islands with more exchanges, communications and cooperation to tackle the common challenges such as climate change and pandemic. The further development of the bilateral relations will serve better the two countries and peoples and contribute to the regional and global peace and prosperity. Ambassador Wang took it as his great honor and privilege to be appointed Ambassador of China to the Cook Islands as the two countries are prepared to celebrate the 25th anniversay of bilateral relations. He pledged to do his utmost to make further in-roads in advancing the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership featuring mutual respect and common development.