The Cook Islands may be small, but the ambitions of its leader are mighty. A range of deals Prime Minister Mark Brown signed with China without consulting the public or New Zealand – an ally to which the Cooks is closely tied – has caused growing irritation and concern. The agreements cover infrastructure, ship-building, tourism, agriculture, technology, education, and, crucially, deep-sea mineral exploration. Brown says his decisions will be based on the “long-term interests” of the Cook Islands, which are remote, resource-rich, and vulnerable to climate change.
Not everyone agrees with him. The new, wide-ranging deals with Beijing have led to protests on Rarotonga – the largest Cook Island – and a vote of no confidence against Brown in parliament, which he survived earlier this week. They have also worried Australia, another powerful ally. New Zealand said it was “blindsided” by the China deals, but Brown believes his country is independent and does not need to consult Wellington on issues he says are of no concern to them.
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