Cook Islands deal focuses on economic progress, not military agenda - China envoy

The Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) 2025-2030 signed between the Cook Islands and China has 'nothing to do with military or security agenda', says the Chinese ambassador to New Zealand, Cook Islands and Niue.

Dr Wang Xiaolong, who was in Rarotonga last week to attend the country's 60th anniversary, told Cook Islands News that, "together with the Cook Islands side, we have taken a completely transparent and open approach towards what we are trying to do together".

"And those four documents that were signed have been fully published. And everyone could see for themselves that our cooperation is focused on economic partnership, and what we could do to support the economic development of the Cook Islands.

"It has nothing to do with military or security agenda. I think it is very clear that the cooperation is largely concentrated on economic cooperation."

In February this year, the Cook Islands signed the four key agreements, including the Action Plan for Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) 2025-20230, Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Deepening Blue Economy Cooperation, MoU for the Blue Partnership in Seabed Minerals Affairs and Agreement on Economic and Technical Cooperation.

The move created a diplomatic row between New Zealand and the Cook Islands, resulting in New Zealand pausing over $18 million in core sector support funding. New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters earlier said the Cook Islands failed to properly consult New Zealand concerning any agreements it planned to sign with China.

Ambassador Wang Xiaolong and his delegation meet with Prime Minister Mark Brown and his officials in Rarotonga. Photo/X/ChineseEmbassyInNZ

The Cook Islands officials have been meeting their counterparts in NZ in an effort to mend diplomatic ties and resume funding support from its constitutional partner, New Zealand. The Cook Islands marked 60 years of self-governance in free association with New Zealand on 4 August.

When asked about his views on the controversy surrounding the Cook Islands-China agreement, Ambassador Wang said, "And as for some of the negativity that has been shown by some of the other partners, we have always made it very clear to both the Cook Islands side and to some of the other partners that might be involved in this, that what we're trying to do with the Cook Islands is not targeted at any other country."

"And it shouldn't be subjected to any intervention from other countries as well. In fact, as far as China is concerned, we would be open to opportunities to work together with some of the other partners, including New Zealand, including Australia, to together support Pacific Island countries like the Cook Islands."

China's ambassador to New Zealand, the Cook Islands, and Niue, Wang Xiaolong, with Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown, and Assistant to the Minister responsible for the PM, Sonny Williams, with placards showing the China-funded inter-island vessel, electric bus, and E-motorcycle. Photo/X/WANGXIALONG

"And actually, between China and New Zealand, we have done it before … as far as we're concerned, we are open and we're ready to explore with all the other partners for such opportunities, so that the Cook Islands people could benefit from what we try to do together."

Ambassador Wang says China has had a very strong relationship with the Cook Islands for over 28 years.

He said within the framework of what, "we call South-South cooperation, it's basically a framework of China as a developing country, helping, trying to help other fellow developing countries, including the Cook Islands".

"And within that framework, we have provided support for the development of the Cook Islands, in terms of infrastructure, in terms of education."

Ambassador Wang said that in terms of infrastructure development, and in terms of the people-to-people links, "we are very glad that together with the Cook Islands, we have made enormous progress".

"And the action plan, that was signed back in February when Prime Minister Brown was visiting China, was actually a further step to build on an already very strong relationship, because we upgraded our relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership back in 2018.

A former National Party candidate, Angee Nicholas, and Richard Pamatatau, a journalism senior lecturer at the Auckland University of Technology (AUT), were part of a panel on Pacific Mornings and shared their views about the Cook Islands saga below.

"And this time around, what was signed was largely some of the specific actions that we could take to further that relationship, to help the Cook Islands to achieve its goals for sustainable development."

According to the Embassy of PRC, during the visit, Ambassador Wang held discussions with senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration, the Ministry of Finance and Economic Management, and the Seabed Minerals Authority, exploring further details of ongoing and future cooperation.

He also delivered smart mowers donated by the Suzhou Municipal People's Government, visited Apii Nikao School, and attended a handover ceremony for the annual Ambassador Scholarship and educational supplies from Zhuhai City.

Cook Islands will also receive two electric buses and motorbikes from the People's Republic of China (PRC) to support the country's green transport initiatives. Cook Islands government has allocated $3 million to procure a new vessel from China, which is providing the other half of the funding.