Xi's bilateral meetings with Pacific island countries

The Cook Islands

When meeting with Cook Islands Prime Minister Henry Puna, Xi said since China and the Cook Islands established diplomatic ties 21 years ago, the two countries have adhered to sincerity and friendliness, mutual respect and treatment as equals, which has contributed to mutual benefits and win-win results.

China is willing to strengthen cooperation with the Cook Islands in such areas as trade and economy, tourism, people-to-people exchanges and regional cooperation through the opportunity of bilateral Belt and Road cooperation agreements and following the principle of extensive consultation, joint contributions and shared benefits, he said.

Puna said his country feels proud that its good relationship with China is based on mutual respect, noninterference in internal affairs and treating each other as equals.

The Cook Islands follows the one-China policy and thanks China for its support in the country's infrastructure construction, he said.

The signing of an agreement on jointly building the Belt and Road between the Cook Islands and China will create broad prospects for bilateral cooperation, he added.