On July 25, 1997, the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Cook Islands signed the joint communique on the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, according to which the two sides agreed to establish diplomatic relations at ambassadorial level effective from the day of signing. Since then, China-Cook Islands relations have been developing smoothly. Prior to the establishment of the diplomatic relations between the two countries, at the invitation of the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications of China, Hon. Vaine Tairea, the Cook Islands Minister for Agriculture, Public Service and Telecommunication visited Shanghai in May 1997 after attending the Senior Symposium on Asia-Pacific Development Strategy in Shanghai.

From August 25 to 28, 1997, Mr. Yang Wensheng, Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation of China visited the Cook Islands. During the visit, the two sides signed and exchanged letters on providing assistance by China to the Cook Islands.

On August 4, 1997, Mr. Li Peng, Premier of the State Council of China sent a message of congratulation to Hon. Geoffrey Henry, Prime Minister of the Cook Islands on the occasion of the 32nd anniversary of the Constitution Day of the Cook Islands.

From September 19 to 22, 1997, Mr. Yang Jiechi, Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China attended the Post Forum Dialogue of the 28th South Pacific Forum on behalf of the Chinese Government. After the Dialogue, he paid a visit to the Cook Islands and met respectively with the Queen's Representative Sir Apenera Short, Prime Minister Hon. Geoffrey Henry, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Hon. Inatio Akaruru, Minister for Agriculture, Public Service and Telecommunication Hon. Vaine Tairea and the Opposition Leader Mr. Norman George.

On December 1,1997, China Red Cross Society donated US$ 20,000 worth of hurricane relief to the Cook Islands.

On March 20, 1998, the Cook Islands Prime Minister, Hon. Geoffrey Henry sent a letter to Premier Zhu Rongji, congratulating him on his election as Premier of the State Council of China. The Cook Islands Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Immigration Mr. Inatio Akaruru sent letters respectively to Minister of Foreign Affairs Tang Jiaxuan and Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation Shi Guangsheng on their assumption of new offices.

From August 1 to 6, 1998, Chinese acrobatic troupe visited the Cook Islands at the invitation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Cook Islands and participated in the celebration activities of the Cook Islands Constitution Day.

On August 4, 1998, President Jiang Zemin sent a message of congratulation to Sir Apenera Short, Queen's Representative of the Cook Islands on the occasion of the 33rd anniversary of the Constitution Day of the Cook Islands.

From 23 to 26 of September, 1998, at the invitation of the Ministry of Public Health of China, the Cook Islands Minister for Health, Hon. Tupou Faireka visited China after attending the West Pacific Conference of the World Health Organization held in China.

From 16 to 22 of November, 1998, the Cook Islands Prime Minister Geoffrey Henry paid an official visit to China at the invitation of Premier Zhu Rongji. During his visit, the two sides signed Trade Agreement between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Cook Islands.

On August 4, 1999, President Jiang Zemin sent a message of congratulation to Sir Apenera Short, Queen's Representative of the Cook Islands on the 34th anniversary of the Constitution Day of the Cook Islands. On August  11, 1999, Premier Zhu Rongji sent a message of congratulation to Hon.  Joseph Williams, Prime Minister of the Cook Islands on his election as Prime Minister of the Cook Islands. On August 13, 1999, Hon. Joseph Williams, Prime Minister of the Cook Islands, and Hon. Norman George, Deputy Prime Minister of the Cook Islands, wrote letters of thanks respectively to Premier Zhu Rongji and Vice Premier Li Lanqing. On August 19, 1999, Hon. Norman George?Deputy Prime Minister of the Cook Islands, reaffirmed during his meeting with Mr. Chen Wenzhao, Chinese Ambassador to the Cook Islands, that the Cook Islands Government would stick to one China policy and it was the firm belief of his Government that the Chinese Government had the full capability to resolve the Taiwan question.

On November 30, 1999, Premier Zhu Rongji sent a message of congratulation to Hon. Dr Terepai Maoate, Prime Minister of the Cook Islands on his election as Prime Minister of the Cook Ksland, and Vice Premier Li Lanqing also sent a message of congratulation to Hon. Norman George on his election as Deputy Prime Minister of the Cook Islands. On December 20, 1999, Hon. Dr Terepai Maoate, Prime Minister of the Cook Islands wrote to Premier Zhu Rongji expressing thanks.

From 10 to 12 of April, 2000, Mr Chen Yaobang, Minister of Agriculture, led a delegation to visit the Cook Islands, meeting respectively with the Queen's Representative Sir Apenera Short, Prime Minister Hon. Dr Terepai Maoate, Deputy Prime Minister Hon. Norman George and the other Cabinet Ministers, and holding a discussion with Minister of Foreign Affairs & Immigration and Minister of Agriculture Hon. Dr Robert Woonton. Hon. Dr. Terepai Maoate, Prime Minister of the Cook Islands, reaffirmed that the Cook Islands Government would stick to the one China policy during his meeting with Mr. Chen Yaobang.

On August 4, 2000, President Jiang Zemin sent a message of congratulation to Sir Apenera Short, Queen's Representative of the Cook Islands, on the 35th Anniversary of the Constitution Day of the Cook Islands.

From 9 to 16 of September, 2000, Hon. Dr Robert Woonton, Minister of Foreign Affairs & Immigration and Minister of Agriculture paid a visit to China at the invitation of Mr. Chen Yaobang, Minister of Agriculture. Minister Wooton held talks with Vice Minister of Agriculture Qi Jinfa on strengthening the bilateral exchanges and cooperation in the agricultural field, and met with Vice Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi .

On February 9, 2001, President Jiang Zemin sent a message of congratulation to H.E. Fredrick Goodwin on his assumption of the post as Queen's Representative of the Cook Islands. From 19 to 20 of February 2001, Mr. He Xiaowei, Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation of China led Chinese Government economic and trade delegation to visit the Cook Islands, and signed an "Agreement on Economic and Technical Cooperation between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Cook Islands" with Hon. Dr. Robert Woonton, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration of the Cook Islands. From 11 to 13 of June, 2001, H.E. Mr. Chen Mingming, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China to the Cook Islands, visited the Cook Islands and attended the centenary activities on the establishment of  the relationship between New Zealand and the Cook Islands. On August 4, 2001, the 36th Anniversary of the Constitution Day of the Cook Islands, President Jiang Zemin sent a message of congratulation to H.E. Fredrick Goodwin, Queen's Representative of the Cook Islands,

On February 23, 2002, Premier Zhu Rongji sent a message of congratulation to Hon. Dr. Robert Woonton,  on his election as Prime Minister of the Cook Islands, and Vice Premier Li Lanqing also sent a message of congratulation to Hon. Geoffrey Henry on his election as Deputy Prime Minister of the Cook Islands. On March 6, 2002, Prime Minister Woonton wrote to Premier Zhu Rongji to express thanks. On July 25 and August 1, Premier Zhu Rongji exchanged message of congratulation with Prime Minister Woonton, celebrating the 5th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the People's Republic of China and the Cook Islands. On August 4, the 37th Anniversary of the Constitution Day of the Cook Islands, President Jiang Zemin sent a message of congratulation to H.E. Fredrick Goodwin, Queen's Representative of the Cook Islands. On August 18, Mr. Zhou Wenzhong, Assistant Minister of Foreign Ministry of the People's Republic of China met Hon. Dr. Robert Woonton, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration of the Cook Islands at the interim of  the Post Forum Dialogue of the Pacific Islands Forum in Fiji.

In November,2002 Prime Minister Wooton sent congratulatory messages   respectively to President Jiang Zemin for the success of the 16th National Party Congress of the CPC and to Hu jintao on his election as the General Secretary of the Central Committee of the CPC.

The total trade volume between the two countries was US$192,000 in 2002.

The Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Cook Islands, in conformity with the interests and desires of the two peoples, have decided to establish diplomatic relations at ambassadorial level, effective from 25 July 1997.


The two Governments have agreed to develop friendly relations and cooperation between the two countries on the basis of the principles of mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, mutual non-aggression, non-interference in each other's internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit, and peaceful coexistence.


The Government of the People's Republic of China reaffirms that there is only one China in the world and that Taiwan is an inalienable part of the territory of the People's Republic of China. The Cook Islands Government recognizes this position of the Chinese Government. The Cook Islands Government recognizes the Government of the People's Republic of China as the sole legal government of China. The Government of the Cook Islands reaffirms its long-standing policy not to enter into official relations with Taiwan in any form.


The Government of the People's Republic of China supports the people of the Cook Islands in their efforts to achieve, in full, their objectives in the area of social, economic and cultural development.


The Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Cook Islands have agreed to exchange ambassadors as soon as practicable, and to provide each with all the necessary assistance for the performance by the other's diplomatic representatives of the diplomatic functions in accordance with international practice and, on a reciprocal basis, on the principle of equality and mutual benefit and in the spirit of friendly consultation.



????Huang Guifang??????????????Iaveta Short
??????for the?????????????????for the        
????Government of the????????????Government of the
??People's Republic of China??????????? Cook Islands  
                       
                                                                                           
????????????????????????Wellington, 25 July 1997