During his attendance of the 24th Post-Forum Dialogue Meeting of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) on August 29, 2012, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Cui Tiankai, as the representative of the Chinese government, attended the celebration of the 15th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Cook Islands held by Tom Marsters, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration of Cook Islands. The host and the guest had friendly talks.

Cui said that since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1997, bilateral relations between China and Cook Islands have been moving forward in a healthy and stable manner. The two countries have maintained high-level exchanges at all levels; the economic, trade, and technical cooperation is advancing steadily; people-to-people and cultural exchanges are growing; and the two sides have conducted effective communication and coordination on sustainable development, climate change and other international and regional issues. It has always been China's proposition that countries, big or small, are equal members in the international community. China actively supports the efforts of Cook Islands on developing economy and improving people's livelihood. China attaches great importance to developing friendly relations with Cook Islands. China is willing to work with Cook Islands to take the 15th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations as an opportunity to further tap the potentials of mutually beneficial cooperation on the basis of consolidating the existing sound cooperation so as to drive the further development of bilateral relations.

Marsters said that Cook Islands attaches great importance to the relations with China and firmly adheres to the one-China policy. Since the establishment of bilateral relations 15 years ago, bilateral relations become increasingly mature. Cook Islands thanked the Chinese side for providing Cook Islands with various forms of assistance over the years, especially the assistance to the leaders' meetings of the Pacific Islands Forum. Cook Islands is willing to work closely with China to continue cooperation in personnel training, development of marine resources and other areas.