Photo: Liu Bin/Xinhua/AFP
Eurasia
23/02/2025 12:28
The Cook Islands has signed a five-year agreement with China to explore deep sea minerals. The memorandum of understanding focuses on exploration and research of seabed minerals, including technology transfer, logistics support, and ecosystem studies, but does not permit mining.
Prime Minister Mark Brown emphasized that any seabed mineral activities would be strictly regulated. The Cook Islands also signed three additional agreements with China, covering economic cooperation in maritime industries and development projects funded by Chinese grants. The government stated that these deals aim to support national development and strengthen regional resilience.
New Zealand, which maintains a "free association" relationship with the Cook Islands, expressed disapproval, arguing that the Cook Islands should consult Wellington on decisions that impact shared interests. Foreign Minister Winston Peters stated that as long as the Cook Islands are constitutionally linked to New Zealand, they should not seek benefits exclusive to fully independent states. He called for a reset in the bilateral relationship, criticizing the Cook Islands for pursuing policies that diverge from New Zealand's interests.