Rising tensions between New Zealand and the Cook Islands over a potential agreement with China highlight concerns about Beijing's growing influence in the Pacific. The Cook Islands' Prime Minister is heading to China for talks, but New Zealand, bound by constitutional ties, says it hasn't been adequately consulted.
Concerns are escalating in New Zealand as the Cook Islands ' prime minister prepares to travel to China this week to sign agreements without engaging in adequate consultation with New Zealand , despite the two nations' constitutional ties. New Zealand has been increasingly apprehensive about China 's expanding influence in the Pacific region and the potential threats it poses to the country's national security.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon stated at a press conference on Monday that New Zealand anticipates transparency and collaboration with the Cook Islands following its prime minister, Mark Brown, announcing his intention to seek a partnership with China for national development, encompassing infrastructure, trade, and the economy. The Cook Islands is a self-governing country in free association with New Zealand, which provides financial assistance and commits to defending the South Pacific nation whose citizens hold New Zealand citizenship. 'Under our constitutional arrangements, we expect, you know, in matters of defense and security to be transparently discussed between partners. That's all we're asking for here,' Luxon emphasized. He added that once New Zealand gains clarity on the agreement's content, the government will determine its course of action. New Zealand has persistently requested the Cook Islands to share or consult on the details of the agreements Brown intends to sign with China but has not received a satisfactory response, raising considerable concern, according to a statement from Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters' office issued on Sunday. 'To those who suggest that our engagement with China is somehow secretive, I reject that completely,' Brown stated in a video address on Cook Islands Television News' Facebook page on Friday. 'We have always conducted our international affairs with integrity and transparency. Every agreement we enter into will be in the best interest of the Cook Islands,' he asserted, although he refrained from disclosing specifics about the agreement. Cook Islanders have also voiced concerns regarding the lack of transparency surrounding the agreement. Tina Browne, leader of the opposition Democratic party, told New Zealand-based radio station 531pn that people are worried about the absence of consultation, particularly regarding the Cook Islands' passport and not solely the agreement with China. 'If there is nothing to hide, why are we not consulting with New Zealand?' Browne questioned.
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