Overview

• The Cook Islands and China signed a comprehensive strategic partnership agreement during Prime Minister Mark Brown's visit to Beijing.
• China's Premier Li Qiang emphasized strengthening political trust and aligning the Belt and Road Initiative with the Cook Islands' development strategy.
• The agreement includes collaboration on marine infrastructure, climate resilience, and deep-sea mineral exploration, with a focus on nickel and cobalt for electric vehicle batteries.
• New Zealand, which has constitutional ties with the Cook Islands, expressed concerns about not being consulted on the agreements before they were signed.
• This marks the first visit by a Cook Islands leader to China in a decade, highlighting China's growing influence in the Pacific region.