A centennial proclamation that demanded ongoing consultation on defense and security matters was also signed by the Cook Islands and New Zealand.
According to media reports, a historic “comprehensive strategic partnership” agreement has been inked between China and the Cook Islands.
Although he did not provide any information regarding the deal, Cook Islands Foreign Minister Tingika Elikana told Radio New Zealand (RNZ) that the island nation had signed it.
Mark Brown, the prime minister of the Cook Islands, met with Chinese Premier Li Qiang in Friday in Harbin, the provincial capital of Heilongjiang province in the northeast.
According to Xinhua News Agency, Brown arrived in Harbin for the Asian Winter Games closing ceremony.
Brown acknowledged the high level of interest in the results of his trip to China prior to the trip.
In 1997, diplomatic relations were established between China and the Cook Islands.
The Cook Islands and New Zealand also signed a centenary declaration that called for them to “consult regularly on defence and security issues”, but RNZ claims that the Cook Islands did not provide New Zealand with any information prior to signing the “comprehensive strategic partnership” deal with Beijing.
Li stated on Friday that China is dedicated to equality for all nations, regardless of size and that it fully supports the Cook Islands’ citizens in their autonomous decision to follow a development path appropriate for their own circumstances.
Brown also praised Beijing for its solid, sustained support and help with the economic and social development of the Cook Islands and other Pacific Island nations, calling Beijing a good friend and an important partner.
In order to combat China’s increasing influence in the region, Australia, the US, and New Zealand were pressured to work with Pacific Island nations after China inked a security deal with Solomon Islands in 2022.
Later, the US and Papua New Guinea signed a bilateral defense agreement.
