China, Cook Islands and New Zealand

China says a visit by Cook Islands’ prime minister isn’t meant to antagonize others in South Pacific
China says a visit this week by the Cook Islands' prime minister to Beijing was not meant to conspire against anyone in the South Pacific, despite the trip stirring up a diplomatic spat between the tiny nation and its chief benefactor,
China, the Cook Islands – and New Zealand’s struggle for influence in the Pacific
By signing a deal with Beijing, the Cook Islands is asserting its independence – in a stark challenge to New Zealand’s Pacific strategy.
New Zealand government alarmed by Cook Islands deal with China
The Cook Islands’ pact with China has been furiously denounced by New Zealand as breaching the neo-colonial constitutional arrangements with its Pacific neighbour.
New Zealand Voices Renewed Concern as Cook Islands PM Eyes Agreement With China
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said on Monday at a press conference New Zealand expected transparency and consultation with Cook Islands after its prime minister, Mark Brown, announced that he was heading to China seeking a partnership in national development including infrastructure, trade and the economy.
Cook Islands PM aims to boost trade ties during China visit
Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown will visit China next week, the first visit by a leader of the small South Pacific state in a decade, to help improve ties ranging from trade, climate and investment to tourism and infrastructure.
Cook Islands’ ‘strategic’ deal with China angers New Zealand
Australia, New Zealand and the US have been moving to counter China’s growing strategic and diplomatic influence in the past three years by striking agreements with nations including Tuvalu, Nauru and Papua New Guinea aimed at shoring up their status as the region’s primary security partners.
New Zealand urged not to overreact in Cook Islands dispute
New Zealand needs to ensure it does not become unhinged over the spat with the Cook Islands, says an international relations specialist at Victoria University of Wellington.
New Zealand and Cook Islands fall out over China deal
However, New Zealand says it was not properly consulted over the plans, leading to what Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has described as a "dispute". The Cook Islands is hugely reliant on New Zealand under a longstanding "free association" agreement that provides it with defence and financial support.
Why a deal with China has strained New Zealand’s ties with the Cook Islands
Why a deal with China has strained New Zealand’s ties with the Cook Islands - Beijing’s growing influence in the South Pacific has hit the close relationship between Wellington and the Cook Islands
Explainer: The diplomatic row between New Zealand and the Cook Islands
Diplomatic tension between the Cook Islands and New Zealand is growing. Here's what it's about, what China has to do with it, and why it matters.
Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Responds to Question on the Cook Islands Prime Minister’s Visit to China
Q: I want to ask about the visit of the prime minister of the Cook Islands to China this week. It’s reported that China and ...
A US ally is reconsidering aid to a strategic Pacific nation. Will China move in?
A rare dispute between New Zealand and Kiribati has renewed focus on the Pacific island nation, highlighting the existential ...
Al-Monitor on MSN17h
Gutting aid, US cedes soft power game to China
When President Donald Trump froze nearly all US foreign aid, Cambodia was forced to suspend workers removing dangerous mines ...
NZ-Pacific tensions rise as China strengthens regional ties – The Front Page
Could New Zealand’s relationships with its Pacific neighbours be in jeopardy – and is China ready to take full advantage? Tensions have emerged in recent weeks between New Zealand and several Pacific ...