New Zealand reiterated its concern about a trip by Mark Brown, the prime minister of the Cook Islands, to Beijing this week. He will reportedly sign a Joint Action Plan for a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with China during his visit from 10 to 14 February.
Brown said the agreement will cover trade, climate, infrastructure, and tourism but not defense or security issues. He said the deal will open economic opportunities “while ensuring our sovereignty and national interests remain at the forefront” and that the terms of the deal “will be agreed upon” during his trip. The Cook Islands was a New Zealand colony until 1965. They now have a free association which Auckland says mandates consultation on foreign deals.
