Cook Islands China deal riles allies

Cook Islands China deal riles allies as West's grip loosens
The Cook Islands may be small but the ambitions of its leader are mighty and his signing of a range of deals with China without consulting the public or New Zealand – an ally to which it is closely tied – has caused increasing irritation and concern.
What is the Cook Islands deal with China and what has worried NZ?
Growing ties between Cook Islands and China, including a new comprehensive partnership agreement action plan detailed this week, have raised concerns in New Zealand, which has a close constitutional relationship with its tiny Pacific neighbour.
Cook Islands’ China deal a ‘nightmare scenario’ for Australia
New Zealand is facing its own ‘Solomon Islands moment’ over a shock deal between China and the Cook Islands that clears the way for Beijing to build critical infrastructure and a persistent presence in the tiny pacific nation,
Cook Islands Says It Has Signed Cooperation Pacts With China
The Cook Islands said it has formalized cooperation pacts with China, including an action plan for a comprehensive strategic partnership and an agreement covering exploration for seabed minerals.
Cook Islands PM survives no-confidence vote over China pact
Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown survived on Wednesday a vote of no confidence in parliament brought by the opposition over deals he struck with China that strained relations with New Zealand. Members of parliament voted 13-9 to defeat the motion introduced by the Cook Islands United Party.
China’s Pacific power play: How the Cook Islands deal threatens regional security
The Cook Islands’ strategic location halfway between New Zealand and Hawaii made it a crucial logistics base during World War II. American forces established airstrips on Penrhyn and Aitutaki, with 850 Marines stationed in the latter.
Winston Peters: New Zealand calls for transparency as Cook Islands-China deal released
New Zealand is calling for “consultation and transparency” as a deal struck between the Cook Islands and China is released as tensions over the agreement persist. The “Action Plan 2025-2030″ for the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the Cook Islands and the People’s Republic of China was published this afternoon following weeks of speculation and a visit to China by Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown last week.
Cook Islands deal with China on economy, seabed mining spurs protest
A strategic partnership deal between China and the Cook Islands spans areas from deep-sea mining to education scholarships but excludes security ties, a document released by the Pacific island nation's government showed.
Cook Islands PM beats no-confidence vote, slams New Zealand
The Cook Islands' prime minister survived a no-confidence vote on Wednesday, blaming "misinformation" from former colonial ruler New Zealand for destabilising his Pacific country.
Pacific News Minute: Cook Islands PM faces political fallout amid dealings with China
The prime minister of the Cook Islands could be facing a no-confidence vote this week. It's part of the continuing political fallout from a recent agreement the government reached with China. HPRʻs Derrick Malama has more in the Pacific News Minute.
Cook Islands PM beats no-confidence vote over China deals
Prime Minister Mark Brown struck a strategic partnership with China this month, irking Cook Islands’ opposition and New Zealand.
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IRSA: China and the Cook Islands: Building the 'Belt and Road' Through Equality, Mutual Benefit, and Win-Win Cooperation
According to International Relations Study Association(IRSA), on the afternoon of February 14, 2025, during the closing of ...
Cook Islands government to seek update on China’s naval exercises
Prime Minister Mark Brown says "in due course, we may be informed more about these naval exercises that these countries ...
Cook Islands gives some detail of its China deal that has upset close partner New Zealand
(AP Photo/Sergei Grits, File) WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — The South Pacific country of Cook Islands on Tuesday ...
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Cook Islands and China sign partnership agreement amid transparency and security concerns
"The public deserves to know if there are any debt obligations, resource access clauses, or strategic commitments involved." ...
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Cook Islands PM condemns NZ govt for ‘interference’ in foreign affairs
AVARUA: Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown has defeated a no-confidence vote sparked by a controversial agreement he ...
New Zealand says China has agreed to consider concerns about its recent military drills
New Zealand’s foreign minister is meeting senior officials in China just days after New Zealand and Australia said that ...
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China's Strategic Maneuvers in the South Pacific Stir Tensions Down Under
China’s naval task group traversed between Australia and New Zealand, firing live rounds causing airline diversions and forging a new agreement with the Cook Islands, raising concerns in Australasian ...