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.
The European Union’s message to Georgia is becoming unmistakably sharp. Within just days, EU foreign ministers voiced unprecedented concern over Geo...
Nathan Gill, the former leader of Reform UK in Wales, has been sentenced to ten and a half years in prison for accepting payments in exchange for prom...
An Indian Tejas fighter jet crashed in a ball of fire during an aerial display at the Dubai Airshow on Friday (November 21), leaving spectators in sho...
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan made his first official visit to Astana, marking a significant event in bilateral relations....
U.S. President Donald Trump said Friday he wants Ukraine to accept a U.S.-backed peace deal by Thursday, following warnings from Ukrainian President V...
The European Union’s message to Georgia is becoming unmistakably sharp. Within just days, EU foreign ministers voiced unprecedented concern over Georgia’s political trajectory — and Brussels abruptly postponed a key Human Rights Dialogue.
An Indian Tejas fighter jet crashed in a ball of fire during an aerial display at the Dubai Airshow on Friday (November 21), leaving spectators in shock.
Nathan Gill, the former leader of Reform UK in Wales, has been sentenced to ten and a half years in prison for accepting payments in exchange for promoting pro-Russian narratives while serving as a Member of the European Parliament (MEP).
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has made an impassioned plea in a video message seemingly in response to the 28-point U.S.-backed plan which would see Kyiv give up some of its territory.
The pilot of an Indian fighter jet performing in the Dubai Air Show has died after the aircraft crashed during an aerial display on Friday.
Indonesian authorities evacuated more than 900 people from nearby villages and were helping 170 stranded climbers return safely after the eruption of Semeru volcano, one of the country's tallest mountains.
Germany has returned 12 royal-era cultural artefacts to Ethiopia in a ceremony in Addis Ababa, marking a formal step in ongoing cultural cooperation between the two countries.
Russian President Vladimir Putin visited the command post of the Russian forces “West” grouping on Thursday (20 November), meeting with Chief of Russia’s General Staff Valery Gerasimov and senior military officials, the Kremlin said.
An off-the-cuff remark by new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi that triggered Japan's biggest bust-up in years with powerful neighbour China was not meant to signal a new hardline stance.
Nathan Gill, the former leader of Reform UK in Wales, has been sentenced to ten and a half years in prison for accepting payments in exchange for promoting pro-Russian narratives while serving as a Member of the European Parliament (MEP).
An Indian Tejas fighter jet crashed in a ball of fire during an aerial display at the Dubai Airshow on Friday (November 21), leaving spectators in shock.
U.S. President Donald Trump said Friday he wants Ukraine to accept a U.S.-backed peace deal by Thursday, following warnings from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that Kyiv could risk losing a “key partner” if the proposal is delayed.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has made an impassioned plea in a video message seemingly in response to the 28-point U.S.-backed plan which would see Kyiv give up some of its territory.
Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy will release a new book next month recounting his recent time behind bars, his publisher Fayard announced on Friday.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment