Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown will visit China from February 10 to 14, marking the first visit by a leader of the island nation in a decade. Brown aims to expand economic opportunities, discussing trade, climate, investment, and infrastructure while maintaining national sovereignty.
The visit comes as China increases its influence in the Pacific, following concerns from some island nations over U.S. President Donald Trump’s foreign aid freeze, migration policies, and withdrawal from the Paris Agreement.
Brown described the trip as part of a broader strategy to strengthen relations with New Zealand, Australia, and China, ensuring Cook Islands’ economic and strategic interests remain a priority.
The Cook Islands, an independent nation in free association with New Zealand, controls its domestic and foreign affairs but relies on New Zealand for defense and emergency assistance. The nation has 15,000 residents, with nearly 100,000 Cook Island Maori living in New Zealand.
During the visit, Brown said a joint action plan for comprehensive strategic partnership with China will be finalized, though details remain unclear. New Zealand has urged consultation on agreements that may have strategic or security implications.
In December, the Cook Islands’ proposal to introduce its own passports was rejected by New Zealand, though discussions on full independence remain open.
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At least 16 people, including students, were killed and 20 others injured after a school bus carrying students from Antioqueño High School crashed and fell off a cliff in northern Colombia on Sunday, local authorities said.
The U.S. condemned a drone strike on a United Nations base in Kadugli, Sudan, on Saturday that killed six Bangladeshi peacekeepers and injured eight others.
France has called on the European Union to postpone a planned vote on the long-negotiated trade agreement with the South American Mercosur bloc, citing insufficient safeguards for European farmers.
Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa has offered condolences to President Donald Trump following an ISIS attack near the ancient city of Palmyra that killed two U.S. soldiers and a civilian interpreter, Syrian and U.S. officials said Sunday.
At least 14 people have died and 32 others were injured after flash floods swept through Morocco’s Atlantic coastal city of Safi on Sunday, authorities said.
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