China has signed a US$6 million agreement to rebuild a school in the Cook Islands.
The Special Envoy for China-Pacific Islands Forum dialogue, Du Qiwen, and the prime minister, Henry Puna, have signed the letters of exchange at a ceremony in Rarotonga.
The Apii Nikao school will replace the Avatea and Niako Maori schools, which will be demolished when the new school is built.
The Cook Islands News reports that construction has already fallen behind schedule because of changes to the way Chinese funding is approved and processed.
However, Mr Puna says construction should take place over the summer school holidays at the end of the year.
