New Zealand Says ‘Blindsided’ by Cook Islands’ China Overture

New Zealand said Friday it had been “blindsided” by the Cook Islands’ plans to sign a major agreement with China and issue its own passports.

Foreign Minister Winston Peters said he had not been consulted on the moves by the Cook Islands, a small, self-governing Pacific nation that has a “free association” with New Zealand.

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by Agence France-Presse

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