Cook Islands cabinet ministers are today meeting to discuss whether government can afford a state visit to China.
A delegation of up to seven people, including Prime Minister Henry Puna, is scheduled to depart Rarotonga on route to Beijing at the end of the week.
The six-day trip is estimated to cost government $70,000, including business class travel between Auckland and the Chinese capital.
Last week Teariki Heather, as acting Prime Minister, said the China tour may be cancelled or downgraded because government has depleted its Civil List - from where it draws funds for such travel.