The Cook Islands will continue to adhere to the one-China policy
and actively encourage Pacific island nations to develop relations
with China, said Prime Minister Jim Marurai in Beijing on
Tuesday.
Marurai made the remarks when holding talks with Chinese Premier
Wen Jiabao, who thanked the government of the Cook Islands for its
firm adherence to the one-China policy and its support for China's
peaceful national reunification.
Wen also said China's policies towards the Pacific island
nations are aimed at maintaining regional stability and promoting
common development.
The two sides also vowed to further promote the development of
bilateral relations.
Marurai said the Cook Islands highly values the friendship with
China and is grateful for the long-term support and cooperation
given by China to its social, economic and cultural
development.
Calling the Cook Islands a friendly partner of China in the
southern Pacific region, Wen said bilateral relations had witnessed
smooth development for years.
Politically, the two countries share mutual respect and place
each other on an equal footing, and economically, the two sides
provide assistance to each other to achieve common development, Wen
said.
The two countries support each other and have close coordination
in handling international affairs, he added.
Wen said he hoped the two countries can take this year's tenth
anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties as an
opportunity to expand friendly exchanges and reciprocal cooperation
in order to push forward the bilateral relations.
As for the climate change, Wen said China attaches great
importance to and fully understands the concern of the developing
Pacific island countries on this issue.
China is willing to continue strengthening cooperation with all
sides, and make its due contributions to the tackling of climate
change, he said.
Marurai is paying an official visit to China from Monday to
Sunday at the invitation of his counterpart Wen Jiabao.
(Xinhua News Agency September 25, 2007)
