WELLINGTON, FEB 16 – The Cook Islands have announced the signing of a “strategic partnership” with China, while stating that this “does not replace” their relations with Pacific neighbors, a region where Beijing is expanding its influence.
The Prime Minister of the small archipelago of 17,000 inhabitants, Mark Brown, is concluding a five-day visit to China, where he met with his counterpart, Li Qiang. The agreement covers “areas aligned with our national interests and long-term development goals,” Brown said in a statement, unveiling the “Action Plan for a Global Strategic Partnership.” The Solomon Islands and Kiribati are other key recipients of Chinese aid in the region. Brown stated that the Cook Islands’ partnership with Beijing involves trade, investment, oceanography, infrastructure, and transport, adding that details will be announced “in the coming days.”
“Our relations and engagement with China complement, and do not replace, our long-standing relationships with New Zealand and many other bilateral, regional, and multilateral partners,” he said.
The archipelago has a “free association” agreement with Wellington, which provides financial support and assistance in foreign affairs and defense. New Zealand diplomacy had also expressed its “concern” prior to Brown’s visit to China.
