At the invitation of the Chinese People’s Institute of Foreign Affairs (CPIFA), Hon. Henry Puna, the Prime Minister of Cook Islands, visited Beijing, Shanghai and Guangdong successively from Sep. 18 to 25, 2011. During his visit in Beijing, Mr. Zheng Wantong, Vice Chairman of the National Committee of Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference met with him; Mr. Cui Tiankai, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Mr. Lu Shumin, Vice President of the CPIFA, respectively met with and hosted banquets in his honor. During his visit in other cities, Mr. Yang Xiong, Executive Vice Mayor of Shanghai Municipal Government and Mr. Lin Musheng, Vice Governor of Guangdong Province respectively met with and hosted banquets in his honor.The two sides exchanged views on relations between China and Cook Islands.

       Puna said that the government of Cook Islands attaches great importance to Sino-Cook Islands relations. He expressed his gratitude for the economic and technical assistance provided by China to Cook Islands over the years. He also hoped that the cooperation of mutual benefit in fields of trade, agriculture, solar energy and tourism will be further deepened between the two countries. He reiterated that Cook Islands government will continue to resolutely adhere to the one-China policy.