New Zealand has expressed surprise and concern over a newly revealed security agreement between the Cook Islands and China. The deal, which includes cooperation on policing and cybersecurity, was negotiated without New Zealand’s knowledge, despite its close ties to the Cook Islands as a self-governing territory in free association with New Zealand. The agreement has raised fears about China’s growing influence in the Pacific, a region where New Zealand and Australia have traditionally held strategic sway. Analysts warn that such deals could undermine regional stability and complicate geopolitical dynamics. New Zealand is now reviewing its diplomatic approach to ensure it remains a key partner for Pacific nations amid increasing competition from global powers.
(By Ziqi Qin)
(Ref:https://www.afr.com/world/pacific/new-zealand-blindsided-by-cook-islands-china-deal-20250210-p5lb0s)
Leave a Reply