‘Serious questions’: Cook Islands opposition challenges China partnership

The Cook Islands government has defended its new partnership agreement with China, but the opposition is demanding transparency and accountability over the deal.

Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown has emphasised its alignment with national interests and the continued importance of existing relationships while facing calls for greater transparency.

However, Tina Browne, the leader of the opposition, says the people of the Cook Islands have a right to know the agreement's "exact terms and conditions."

The Cook Islands signed a Joint Action Plan for Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) 2025-2030 agreement with China on Thursday. The deal focuses on areas aligned with national interests and long-term development goals.

The agreement has drawn criticism from New Zealand, with which the country shares a special constitutional relationship, and Cook Islanders due to a lack of consultation.

Prime Minister Mark Brown, who led a delegation to China on a state visit from 10-14 February, said in a statement that the country’s relationship and engagement with China “complements, not replaces, our longstanding relationships with New Zealand".

Opposition leader Browne said while the full details of the agreement remain undisclosed, “it is clear that the government’s handling of this matter has left serious questions unanswered about its potential impact on our sovereignty, economic independence, and international relationships”.

She said that as the Prime Minister prepares to return and address the nation on Sunday, "he must provide a full and honest account of the agreement.

“If the agreement involves financial commitments, what are the repayment terms, and what impact will they have on our economy and future generations? If it includes infrastructure development, who will control these projects, and how will they benefit Cook Islanders?” Browne questioned.

Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown meets with Chinese Premier Li Qiang in Harbin. Photo/Supplied

“If there are provisions for fisheries and agriculture, what guarantees exist to ensure that our natural resources remain protected?”

According to PM Brown's statement, the comprehensive strategic partnership establishes a structured framework for engagement between the two countries in several priority areas, including trade and investment, tourism, ocean science, aquaculture, agriculture, infrastructure, including transport, climate resilience, disaster preparedness, creative industries, technology and innovation, education and scholarships, and people-to-people exchanges.

The full Action Plan will be available on Cook Islands Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration online platforms “in the coming days” following the Ministry’s “co-ordination and implementation oversight of the provisions”, the statement said.

PM Brown met with Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Friday in Harbin, China, (Thursday, Cook Islands time), before the agreement between the two countries was signed.

The statement said the two leaders committed to strengthening their bilateral relationship through the reiteration of shared partnership principles and the articulation of priority areas for future cooperation.

“This (agreement) provides opportunities for our government, our private sector and our people to benefit from enhanced partnership opportunities with China in areas aligned with our national interests and long-term development goals,” said Brown.

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“China has been steadfast in its support and contributions to the Cook Islands development priorities for 28 years. It has been respectful of the Cook Islands sovereignty and supportive of our sustained and concerted efforts to secure economic resilience for our people amidst our various vulnerabilities and the many global challenges of our time, including climate change and access to development finance.”

Brown reaffirmed his government's commitment to transparency by recognising the strong public interest in the partnership arrangement.

In its international engagements, he said the Cook Islands is guided by national priorities as shaped by national consultations and articulated in various policies – “always with the best interests of our people at heart and ensuring the long-term security and prosperity of the Cook Islands”.

“Our relationship and engagement with China complements, not replaces, our longstanding relationships with New Zealand and our various other bilateral, regional and multilateral partners – in the same way that China, New Zealand and all other states cultivate relations with a wide range of partners.”

PM Brown had earlier stated the China deal would not include any borrowings.

Browne said beyond these concerns, the Prime Minister must also explain why the government failed to consult New Zealand, as required under the 2001 Joint Centenary Declaration.

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“As a nation in free association with New Zealand, we have a responsibility to engage in open and honest diplomatic discussions on matters that affect regional stability,” the leader of the Democratic Party said.

“This failure to communicate and coordinate with our closest partner undermines trust and raises serious doubts about the government’s handling of international affairs.”

Following the meeting between PM Brown and Premier Li Qiang, the Chinese leader said that China is committed to equality among all countries, big or small, and firmly supports the people of the Cook Islands in choosing a development path suited to their national conditions independently.

Li added that China stands ready to enhance the synergy between the high-quality Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the Cook Islands' development strategies and push for deeper, more solid mutually beneficial cooperation on oceans, infrastructure, agriculture, and fisheries.

This article was republished with the permission of the Cook Islands News. It has been edited for clarity.