Cook Islands releases terms of deal with China amid protests about lack of transparency
Agreement includes sections on deep-sea mining and education, document shows, as opposition accuses PM of risking relationship with New Zealand
A strategic partnership deal between China and the Cook Islands spans areas from deep-sea mining to education scholarships but excludes security ties, a document released by the Pacific island nation’s government showed.
Western nations that traditionally held sway in the region have become increasingly concerned about China’s push for influence in the Pacific, after Beijing signed defence, trade and financial deals with countries in the region over the past three years.
Continue reading...
Read more at The Guardian
Topics
-
Protest in Cook Islands over deal with China on economy and seabed mining
A strategic partnership deal between China and the Cook Islands spans areas from deep-sea mining to education scholarships but excludes security ties, a document released by the Pacific island ...NBC News - 2d -
New Zealand raises ‘concern’ as Cook Islands prepares to sign China deal
Deputy PM says New Zealand hasn’t been adequately consulted on an agreement the Cook Islands leader is expected to sign in Beijing this week. A diplomatic row has erupted between two tight-knit ...The Guardian - Feb. 10 -
Cook Islands’ ‘strategic’ deal with China angers New Zealand
Agreement with south Pacific archipelago deepens concerns about Beijing’s influence in regionFinancial Times - Feb. 10 -
Cook Islands PM defends signing of wide-ranging deal with China
Mark Brown says Beijing deal that covers trade, investment, oceans, infrastructure and transport complements ties with New Zealand. The Cook Islands says it has signed a deal to expand relations ...The Guardian - 3d -
Cook Islands gives some detail of its China deal that has upset close partner New Zealand
The South Pacific country of Cook Islands has unveiled the details of a deal with China to boost cooperation after the pact provoked a rare diplomatic clash with the nation’s chief benefactor, New ...ABC News - 2d -
New Zealand concerns rise as Cook Islands plans to sign agreement with China
Concerns are mounting in New Zealand as the Cook Islands’ prime minister travels to China to sign agreements without properly consulting with New Zealand, despite the two nations’ constitutional ties.NBC News - Feb. 10 -
Amid Washington rancor, Trump basks in the glow of a hostage-release deal
Presidents love to bask in the patriotic glow of bringing home hostages — none more than President Donald Trump.NBC News - Feb. 13 -
Teddy bear helps hostage’s family come to terms with grief amid joy over his release
As Gillian Brisley and her husband, Pete, watched their son-in-law’s release from captivity, she clutched a teddy bear to her chestABC News - Feb. 8 -
Elon Musk grilled about DOGE transparency, conflicts in Oval Office
Elon Musk had not faced reporters since taking the lead on Trump's mandate to dismantle much of the federal government.ABC News - Feb. 12
More from The Guardian
-
Trump ‘very frustrated’ with Zelenskyy for allegedly failing to ‘take opportunity’ of US-brokered peace – live
US national security adviser claims Ukrainian president has failed to ‘come to the table’ despite not being invited to Russia-US talks this week. Vance poses immigrants as ‘greatest threat’ to US ...The Guardian - 41m -
‘One of the hardest days’ in Israel as Hamas hands over hostages’ bodies
Remains of two young children, their mother and an elderly man arrive in Tel Aviv after ‘cruel’ handover in Gaza. The remains of two young children, their mother, and an elderly man taken hostage ...The Guardian - 2h -
Trump appears to agree to cut checks to Americans to share portion of savings from Doge cost-cutting
‘Department of government efficiency’ head Elon Musk suggested $5,000 checks to US households if targets met. Donald Trump has appeared to embrace a proposal to share a portion of the cuts in US ...The Guardian - 2h -
US Senate narrowly confirms Kash Patel as next FBI director
Key Trump ally, who aligns with US president on range of issues, wins confirmation in 51-49 Senate vote. The US Senate has confirmed Kash Patel as the next FBI director, handing oversight of the ...The Guardian - 20m -
Americans’ confidence in air travel falls after string of plane crashes, poll shows
Survey indicates 64% of Americans believe flying is safe, down from 71% who said so last year. Americans’ confidence in aviation has slipped following a string of plane crashes in 2025, according ...The Guardian - 1h
More in World
-
Europa League playoffs: Roma v Porto, Galatasaray v AZ and more – live
Europa League updates from around the grounds Live scoreboard | Read Football Daily | And mail Rob 45 min: Roma 2-1 Porto (agg: 3-2) Roma almost scored a third a moment ago, with a shot ...The Guardian - 12m -
Vance poses immigration as ‘greatest threat’ to US and Europe in CPAC speech
Vice-president also reaffirmed the administration’s Ukraine stance at largest conservative voters conference. US politics live – latest updates JD Vance marked one month since the Trump ...The Guardian - 19m -
US Senate narrowly confirms Kash Patel as next FBI director
Key Trump ally, who aligns with US president on range of issues, wins confirmation in 51-49 Senate vote. The US Senate has confirmed Kash Patel as the next FBI director, handing oversight of the ...The Guardian - 20m -
Suits LA review – glossy legal spinoff is an unsexy disappointment
After Suits became a surprise Netflix smash hit in 2023, the inevitable follow-up is unlikely to find as many fans. For all my eye-rolling at spinoffs, reboots and IP rehashing, I have to admit ...The Guardian - 25m -
Suits LA review – glossy legal spinoff is an unsexy disappointment
After Suits became a surprise Netflix smash hit in 2023, the inevitable follow-up is unlikely to find as many fans. For all my eye-rolling at spinoffs, reboots and IP rehashing, I have to admit ...The Guardian - 25m