The Chinese side will strengthen exchanges, friendship and cooperation with the Cook Islands and continue to make efforts for the steady development of long-term friendship and cooperation with the country, said Chinese President Hu Jintao in Beijing Thursday.  

Hu made the remarks at a meeting with visiting Prime Minister Robert Woonton of the Cook Islands who is here as a guest of Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao.

Hu said it is the common goal of the two countries to further bilateral friendship and cooperation on the basis of mutual respect, equality and reciprocity.

Hu pointed to the remarkable results of bilateral exchanges and cooperation in such fields as economy, trade, agriculture and culture in recent years thanks to efforts from both sides, as well as the sound communication and coordination between the two countries in international and regional affairs.

China appreciates the Cook Islands government's one-China policy and support for China's just position on the Taiwan issue, noted Hu.

Woonton said the government and people of the Cook Islands will firmly pursue a one-China policy and support China's just stance on the Taiwan issue.

He said the Cook Islands will take active measures and substantiate the consensus reached between leaders of the two countries so as to continuously push forward the development of bilateral relations.

(Xinhua News Agency April 30, 2004)