The Cook Islands government has disclosed details of its strategic partnership agreement with China following mounting domestic and international scrutiny.
The agreement covers cooperation in areas such as trade, infrastructure, ocean resources, and education but excludes security arrangements. The release comes amid criticism over the lack of prior consultation with New Zealand, a key partner of the Pacific island nation.
The deal was signed during Prime Minister Mark Brown’s five-day state visit to China, where he met Chinese Premier Li Qiang in Harbin. Under the agreement, China will provide a one-time grant of approximately $4 million, which Cook Islands authorities indicate will be allocated towards renewable energy projects. Brown has positioned the agreement as an expansion of economic diplomacy, stating it would complement rather than replace existing partnerships with New Zealand, Australia, and other allies.
However, the deal has sparked protests and political opposition within the Cook Islands. Around 400 demonstrators gathered in the capital, Avarua, on Tuesday, expressing concerns that deepening ties with China could undermine the country’s special constitutional relationship with New Zealand. Protesters carried signs urging the government to maintain close ties with Wellington, with some opposing Brown’s previous, now-abandoned, proposal to introduce a separate Cook Islands passport. The opposition has also raised concerns over potential risks to national sovereignty and the Cook Islands’ economic independence.
New Zealand, which provides budgetary support and oversees aspects of foreign affairs and defence under the “free association” arrangement, has voiced “significant concern” over the lack of transparency surrounding the agreement. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon stated that his government had not seen the full document and could not comment on its contents. He emphasised that Wellington would need to review the agreement before engaging in further discussions with the Cook Islands government.
The agreement also includes discussions on seabed mineral research, an issue of growing contention in the Pacific. Cook Islands officials confirmed talks with Chinese institutes on the potential for deep-sea mining, particularly regarding polymetallic nodules containing valuable metals such as nickel and cobalt. The prospect of mining the region’s seabed has drawn both interest and criticism, with environmental and geopolitical implications under debate.
Observers note that China’s willingness to engage in agreements not only with independent states but also with self-governing territories reflects its broader strategic ambitions in the Asia-Pacific. While Western nations deliver speeches and promises, Beijing continues to expand its investments and influence through tangible economic agreements. This development raises concerns about a potential shift in the geopolitical balance in the Pacific, especially if China deepens its involvement with nations closely associated with traditional Western allies such as New Zealand and Australia.
The Cook Islands’ decision to sign the agreement without prior consultation with Wellington highlights growing confidence among Pacific nations to act independently in their foreign policy decisions. Some analysts suggest this move underscores the declining influence of traditional allies, as China’s strategic engagement gains traction in the region.
Brown’s government now faces a no-confidence vote in parliament after 25 February, initiated by opposition parties concerned about the implications of the China deal.
