On the afternoon of April 29, 2004, President Hu Jintao met with the Cook Islands' Prime Minister Hon.Dr.Robert Woonton at the Great Hall of the People.

Hu said that China and Cook Islands, though separated by vast oceans and different in historical backgrounds and cultural traditions, have maintained good relations. Just as a Chinese saying goes, "if you have a friend who knows your heart, distance can't keep you two apart". In recent years, with the joint efforts by the two sides, China and Cook Islands have achieved remarkable results in exchanges and cooperation in such fields as economy and trade, agriculture and culture, and have maintained good communication and coordination in international and regional affairs. China appreciates and thanks the government of Cook Islands for its resolute adherence to the one-China policy and its support for China's just position on issues involving Taiwan in the South Pacific region.

Hu indicated that further development of China-Cook Islands friendly cooperative relations on the basis of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit represents a common goal shared by the two countries. The Chinese side would like to strengthen exchanges, deepen friendship and expand cooperation with Cook Islands and make continuous efforts for the long-term and stable friendly cooperative relations between the two countries.

Woonton said that the people in the South Pacific Islands countries hold lofty respect for the great Chinese people. The Cook Islands' government and people will unswervingly adhere to the one-China policy and support China's just stance on the Taiwan issue. Woonton expressed his thanks for the great hospitality of the Chinese government and people, and noted that he would bring back to his country the friendly feelings of the Chinese people and take active measures to implement the consensuses reached with Chinese leaders in a bid to continuously push forward the development of relations between the two countries.

Vice Foreign Ministers Dai Bingguo and Zhou Wenzhong as well as some other officials attended the meeting.