The Cook Islands delegation, led by Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration the Hon. Tingika Elikana, participated in the 3rd China–Pacific Countries Foreign Ministers Meeting held in Xiamen, China, on 28 May 2025.
The meeting was co-chaired by the Hon. Wang Yi, Foreign Minister for the People's Republic of China and the Hon. Taneti Maamau, President of Kiribati. Other Pacific Islands Countries in attendance included Niue, Tonga, the Federated States of Micronesia, Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Nauru, Fiji and Samoa. The Deputy Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat was also in attendance.
During the meeting, Minister Elikana, on behalf of the Cook Islands, acknowledged the bilateral relationship jointly built over 28 years on a foundation of mutual respect and trust, respect for each other's aspirations, and upholding each other's sovereignty. He acknowledged the partnership had supported the Cook Islands' economic, social, and climate resilience advances over the years through China's support for Cook Islands development initiatives in public infrastructure, agriculture, sports, education, fisheries, maritime, and climate action. Minister Elikana re-affirmed the Cook Islands' commitment to progressing co-operation with China in areas under the 2025-2030 Joint Action Plan, MOU on the Blue Economy, and MOU on Blue Partnership in Seabed Mineral Affairs signed by the two governments in February.
Among the understandings reached by the 3rd China-Pacific Islands Foreign Ministers Meeting was a commitment to further strengthening and enhancing trade cooperation between China and the Pacific through trade promotion and market access for Pacific Island Countries products into China. The two sides also called for advanced economies to provide leadership on climate change mitigation and resilience initiatives at the international level, with China committing to provide assistance and support to Pacific Island Countries' climate response.
The Joint Statement of the Third China-Pacific Island Countries Foreign Ministers Meeting details the discussions that took place and the understandings reached between China and the Pacific Island countries having diplomatic relations with China that attended the meeting.
Queries regarding this media release to [email protected]
Note:
2025-2030 - Action Plan for Strategic Partnership_0.pdf