Wellington, New Zealand-A Strategic Association Agreement between China and the Cook Islands covers the areas of deep water mining to educational scholarships, but excludes security ties, a document published by the Nation Government of the Nation of the Island of the Island of the Island of the Island of the Peaceful.
The western nations that traditionally had influence in the region have been increasingly concerned with China’s plans to increase influence after Beijing signed the defense, trade and financial agreements with the Pacific countries in the last three years.
In the midst of national criticisms of the lack of transparency, the government announced the Action Plan for the Agreement on Monday on the Cook Islands, in response to the calls of New Zealand, which had not been consulted despite the ties Constitutional
“This does not replace our long -standing relationships with New Zealand, Australia and others, but complements them, ensuring that we have a diversified portfolio of associations,” said Prime Minister Mark Brown to the Parliament of the Cook Islands.
“We are strengthening economic diplomacy through initiatives such as our integral strategic association with China,” he added, pointing out opportunities offered in areas such as trade, infrastructure and ocean resources.
The opposition has grown in the Cook Islands to any threat that its pacts with China represents the closed ties with New Zealand, and the Brown government faces a vote without confidence in the Parliament that expires after February 25 called by the opposition parties .
Brown’s comments, who also expressed their confidence in the capacity of the Cook Islands to protect their interests, followed a protest march to Parliament in the capital of Avara that support the ties with New Zealand.
“Keep connected to New Zealand,” said a poster held by the protesters, who also wielded huge replicas of New Zealand passports.
“The first concern is the lack of consultation not only with Cook Us islanders but also with New Zealand,” said the opposition leader Tina Browne, who had pressed for transparency in the agreement.
China will grant a unique subsidy of approximately $ 4 million to the nation of 15,000, Brown told journalists after his return to Beijing’s house.
New Zealand raised concerns about his visit to China, since he had not seen in advance the signed agreements, despite having asked to review them.
A spokesman for the Vice Primer Minister of New Zealand said he was looking forward to the release of all the PACT signed on the trip.
The neighboring government would need to analyze the content of the pact published on Monday and its implications for New Zealand and the people of the Cook Islands, whose government intends to participate in the next few days, he added.
Located halfway between Hawaii and New Zealand, the Autonomous Cook Islands can interact with the international community as an independent state.
The neighbors have pledged to consult about security, defense and foreign relations. New Zealand also provides some budget support and undertakes to defend people, which are their citizens.
The mining mining, hydrography, the relief of disasters and cultural ties are areas of the allocations of the Cooperation Pact.
He does not explicitly mention security, but the possibility of greater maritime cooperation could feed concern about the potential military use of marine information and infrastructure.
While New Zealand previously annulled the aspirations of the cook islands to join the United Nations without being independent, Monday’s action plan says that China will bother their hopes to expand the membership of global organisms.
