China and the Cook Islands last week signed an action plan for a comprehensive strategic partnership, China’s Foreign Ministry said on Monday, providing further details on a deal likely to raise concerns in New Zealand.
NZ Considering Deal ‘Closely’
New Zealand, a U.S. partner which has constitutional ties with the Cook Islands, has expressed wariness about China‘s growing presence in the South Pacific amid fears it could destabilise Western influence.
The office of New Zealand Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters said in a statement on Saturday that “once available, New Zealand will consider the agreements closely, in light of our interests and our mutual constitutional responsibilities”.
China-Cook Islands Deals
Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown witnessed the signing of a number of bilateral cooperation documents, including the action plan, last week in the northeastern Chinese city of Harbin, ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun told reporters.
“This provides opportunities for our government, our private sector and our people to benefit from enhanced partnership opportunities with China in areas aligned with our national interests and long-term development goals,” Brown said.
‘Priority Areas’
The partnership established a framework for engagement on “priority areas” like trade and investment, tourism, ocean science, aquaculture, agriculture, infrastructure climate resilience and disaster preparedness, according to the statement.
Brown said this month he was heading to China seeking the partnership – drawing ire from New Zealand, which is increasingly cautious about China’s growing presence in the Pacific region.
Action Plan
The action plan will provide a roadmap for cooperation between the two countries in the fields of economy and environment, culture, society and other areas, Guo said during a regular press conference.
The cooperation between China and the Cook Islands is not aimed at any third party, nor should it be interfered with by any third party, he added.
The Cook Islands, a self-governing Pacific country halfway between New Zealand and Hawaii, can interact with the international community as an independent state. But New Zealand provides budget support and commits to defend the island nation, whose people are New Zealand citizens.
(With inputs from Reuters)
