The Cook Islands needs trade and investment. Its economy depends on tourism, and, having graduated to “high-income” status in 2020, it is no longer eligible for aid. As Mr Brown sees it, China is part of the solution.

The Cook Islands has officially signed a comprehensive strategic partnership agreement with China, a move that is likely to raise concerns in New Zealand, which maintains constitutional ties with the island nation, reported The Hindu.

China acknowledged a visit by the Cook Islands leader for the first time on Thursday, amid exasperation in New Zealand that it was not consulted about expected agreements involving the South Pacific nation,

The Cook Islands is hugely reliant on New Zealand under a longstanding "free association" agreement that provides it with defence and financial support. China's growing influence

Prime Minister of the Cook Islands Mark Brown speaks during the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Summit at United Nations headquarters in New York City, New York, U.S., September 18, 2023. REUTERS/Caitlin Ochs/File Photo BEIJING (Reuters) - China is willing to deepen mutual political trust with the Cook Islands,

New Zealand expressed renewed concern on Monday about the Cook Islands' prime minister travelling to China this week to sign agreements without properly consulting with Wellington despite the two nations' constitutional ties.

No details have been released, but analysts and environmentalists fear it will pave the way for closer security ties and the start of deep-sea mining.