In 2013, the friendly and cooperative relations between the People's Republic of China and Cook Islands continued to move forward steadily.
The two countries maintained the momentum of political exchanges. In August, President Xi Jinping sent a message of congratulations to Tom Marsters, the newly appointed Queen's Representative, on his assumption of office and the Constitution Day of Cook Islands. In November, Vice Premier Wang Yang of the State Council met with Prime Minister Henry Puna in Guangzhou on the margins of the second China-Pacific Island Countries Economic Development and Cooperation Forum. In September, Li Qiangmin, Special Envoy for China-Pacific Islands Forum Dialogue, met with Prime Minister Puna on the sidelines of the 25th Post Forum Dialogue of the Pacific Islands Forum in Majuro, the Capital of the Republic of the Marshall Islands. In October, Teariki Heather, Minister of Infrastructure and Planning of Cook Islands, visited China.
In November, Wang Lutong, China's new Ambassador to Cook Islands, presented the letter of credence to the Queen's Representative Tom Marsters.
Economic and technological cooperation between the two countries advanced steadily. A delegation from China Ocean Mineral Resource R&D Association visited Cook Islands in April. The Cook Islands Water Partnership jointly developed by China, Cook Islands and New Zealand made smooth progress.
