RAROTONGA, Cook Islands, Feb. 20 -- China has maintained a positive and open attitude to the tripartite cooperation which gives full play to the respective strength of each party and better promotes the development of the recipient, Chinese ambassador to New Zealand and Cook Islands said on Thursday.

China also maintains that the desires and choices of recipient countries must be fully respected and the principles of helping the local peace and development followed, while carrying out cooperation step by step and starting from easy ones, Wang Lutong told Xinhua.

Ambassador Wang made the comments after China, New Zealand and Cook Islands on Thursday jointly launched the construction work of a water project to deliver an improved water main system to the people of Rarotonga, Cook Islands' main island.

It is the first time China and New Zealand have worked together to deliver a major development initiative in the Pacific.

The water project is not only the largest ever infrastructure project but also a significant livelihood project in Cook Islands. After completion, it will provide residents with safe and clean drinking water. And more significantly, it will help uplift the level of health for the locals.

"Bearing in mind its important value and meaning to the people of the Cook Islands, the Chinese government attaches great importance to the water project," he added.

"Since China and the Cook Islands established diplomatic relations in 1997, the bilateral relationship has maintained excellent momentum, with political mutual trust deepened and pragmatic cooperation pushed forward steadily. Over the years, we have witnessed continuous expansion of exchanges and cooperation between the two sides in various fields such as infrastructure, education, agriculture and sports, which results in substantial fruits," he said.

As the largest developing country in the world, China has carried out South-South cooperation with the Cook Islands and other developing countries through bilateral channels, helping them in economic development and improvement of people's livelihood, he said.

The Rarotonga water project is the first tripartite cooperation for China, and fully reflects the sound relationship and deep trust among the three countries. "It is momentous to all our three countries and the region at large," Wang said.

On Aug. 30, 2012, the governments of China, New Zealand and Cook Islands announced an initiative of triparite partnership to upgrade the water main system in Rarotonga.

With strict assessment and selection, China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation was awarded the contract.