The Cook Islands has signed a comprehensive strategic partnership with China, Prime Minister Mark Brown’s office confirmed on Saturday. The deal, finalised during Brown’s visit to Beijing, is expected to raise concerns in New Zealand, which has constitutional ties with the island nation.
Brown previously stated that his trip to China aimed to strengthen cooperation in infrastructure, trade, and economic development. However, New Zealand expressed unease over China’s growing influence in the Pacific and noted it had not been allowed to review the agreements ahead of Brown’s visit.
A spokesperson for Brown confirmed the signing but did not disclose details, saying a media statement would be issued later.
New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters’ office responded cautiously, stating that once the agreements are available, Wellington will review them in line with its interests and constitutional responsibilities.
The Cook Islands, though self-governing, receives budget support and defence commitments from New Zealand. While it can engage internationally as an independent state, Wellington remains a key partner.
During his visit, Brown has also discussed marine science, climate resilience, and economic cooperation with Chinese institutions, he said in a Facebook post.
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Both the United States and Iran are giving conflicting messages about trying to end the conflict in the Middle East as the rest of the world battle with the consequences of the war. Welcome to AnewZ's coverage of the tensions in the Middle East.
Conflicting messages emerged from Iran about its response to a U.S. peace offer reportedly delivered to it by Pakistan on Wednesday (25 March). Meanwhile, Tehran's government unveiled its own counterproposal to end the conflict.
France will not take part in military operations to open the Strait of Hormuz by force, but is prepared to help secure key maritime routes, Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu told lawmakers amid escalating tensions in the Middle East.
Iran has rejected a U.S. proposal to end the war, insisting any ceasefire will occur only on its own terms and timeline, according to a senior political-security official speaking to state-run Press TV on Wednesday.
U.S. President Donald Trump said the U.S. was talking to the right people in Iran to make a deal on Tuesday (24 March), as Pakistan's Prime Minister offered to host peace talks between the two countries to bring about an end to the conflict.
Both the United States and Iran are giving conflicting messages about trying to end the conflict in the Middle East as the rest of the world battle with the consequences of the war. Welcome to AnewZ's coverage of the tensions in the Middle East.
Afghan authorities say Pakistani jets entered northern Afghanistan, while Pakistan insists its actions target terrorism, highlighting continued strain after a temporary Eid ceasefire ended.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen resigned on Wednesday after her coalition suffered a heavy election defeat, triggering negotiations over who will form the next government.
Iran launched multiple waves of missiles at Israel, the Israeli military said, after U.S. President Donald Trump postponed a threat to bomb the Islamic Republic's power grid because of what he described as productive talks with Iranian officials.
A Los Angeles jury has found Alphabet’s Google and Meta liable for $3 million in damages in a landmark social media addiction lawsuit, a decision that could shape thousands of similar cases.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has said it is unfair for people around the world to shoulder the cost of U.S.–Israeli attacks on Iran, warning that Spanish firms have already lost €100 billion ($116 billion) in less than a month as a result of the conflict.
Marine Le Pen, leader of France’s far-right National Rally (RN), said on Wednesday that the U.S. had “clearly made a mistake” in launching strikes on Iran, arguing Washington misjudged the resilience of the Iranian regime.
Russia’s Baltic ports of Primorsk and Ust-Luga, major export terminals, suspended loadings of crude oil and refined products on Wednesday after large-scale Ukrainian drone attacks triggered a blaze, sources told Reuters.
The UK government is to trial social media bans, curfews and app time limits in the homes of 300 teenagers, as part of a wider consultation on restricting under-16s’ access to platforms and improving online safety.
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