SYDNEY (Reuters) – Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown said he would release soon the full details of a comprehensive strategic partnership deal signed between China and his country, which has raised concerns in New Zealand with which it has constitutional ties.
New Zealand has said its concerns about Brown’s visit to China stem from not having seen the agreements that he plans to sign ahead of the trip, even though it asked to review them.
Brown told reporters, after returning home on Monday from China, that Wellington should not have any concerns after it reviews the deal, The Cook Island News said in a report.
The details will be “out online very shortly, people can see for themselves,” Brown said.
China will provide the Pacific nation of 15,000 people with a one-time grant of about $4 million, Brown said during the media briefing.
Opposition parties on Tuesday protested against the deal with more than 400 people, with some holding signs “Stay connected with New Zealand”, gathered outside the parliament in the capital city of Avarua, Radio New Zealand said in a report.
“We have no problem with our government going and seeking assistance,” opposition leader Tina Browne said.
“We do have a problem when it is risking our sovereignty, risking our relationship with New Zealand.”
China and Cook Islands last week signed several bilateral cooperation documents over economy, environment, culture and other sectors, in the northeastern Chinese city of Harbin, China’s Foreign Ministry said on Monday.
Western nations that traditionally have held sway in the Pacific have become increasingly concerned about China’s plans to increase influence there after Beijing signed defence, trade and financial deals in the region over the last three years.
The Cook Islands, a self-governing Pacific country halfway between New Zealand and Hawaii, can interact with the international community as an independent state. But New Zealand provides budget support and commits to defend the island nation, whose people are New Zealand citizens.
(Reporting by Renju Jose in Sydney; Editing by Nick Zieminski)
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