China’s Foreign Ministry announced on Monday ( Feb. 17 ) that it and the Cook Islands have signed an action plan for a long-term strategic partnership between the two nations, giving more details about a deal that is anticipated to pique New Zealand’s concerns.
New Zealand, a US partner with constitutional ties to the Cook Islands, has expressed concern over Beijing’s growing existence in the South Pacific over fears it might destabilize American influence.
According to government spokesman Guo Jiakun, the leaders of China and the Cook Islands, Guo Jiakun reported to reporters last week as they witnessed the filing of several bilateral cooperation agreements, including the action plan, in the northern Chinese city of Harbin.
The action plan will provide a blueprint for cooperation between the two countries in the fields of business and culture, society, culture and other areas, Guo said during a typical press conference.
He continued,” There should not be any third party infringe on the cooperation between China and the Cook Islands,” and no third group may get.
As an impartial state, the Cook Islands, a self-governing Pacific nation way between Hawaii and New Zealand, you communicate with the world community. However, New Zealand offers funding for its budget and pledges to support the island nation, whose citizens are New Zealanders.