Cook Islands PM Talks Ocean Minerals with China

Helen Clark is the former prime minister of New Zealand

Mark Brown, the Prime Minister of the Cook Islands, said he held talks on marine conservation and ocean exploration during his visit to China this week. His cabinet expressed confidence in the new cooperation treaty he is scheduled to sign with China on Friday. New Zealand complained that the Cook Islands had not consulted them about the agreement.

WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT? The “exploration” part is key. The Cook Islands has a large exclusive economic zone, which contains some of the largest known underwater deposits of critical minerals like cobalt and many rare earth minerals.

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by CGSP Staff

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