Mark Brown in China. Photo: Office of the Prime Minister, Cook Islands
Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown says he is aware of the strong interest in the outcomes of his visit to China.
The New Zealand government said that the Cook Islands failed to properly consult it on proposed agreements that Brown will be signing in Beijing this week.
Brown's visit to China has ignited debate, both locally and regionally, about the relationship between the Cook Islands and New Zealand.
RNZ Pacific understands Cook Islands government ministers also remain in the dark about when a controversial "comprehensive partnership agreement" will be signed in Beijing, but the island's Foreign Minister Tingika Elikana told Cook Islands News that Brown has the full support of his Cabinet ministers.
In a statement on Thursday, Brown said he would be sharing more details on the visit "in the coming days".
"I want to reassure our people that every conversation is being guided by what is best for the Cook Islands - ensuring that our partnerships support economic growth, environmental sustainability, and national sovereignty," Brown said.
"Over the past few days, we have engaged in critical discussions with leading institutions in marine science, climate resilience, and economic cooperation," he said.
These conversations have opened the door to new areas of collaboration, including:
- Expanding our marine research capabilities through partnerships with the China Ocean Sample Repository and the National Deep Sea Centre, bringing new expertise to our ongoing efforts in deep-sea exploration and sustainable ocean management.
- Exploring aquaculture opportunities with Qingdao Frontier Ocean Seed Company, with a focus on developing sustainable aquaculture in the Pa Enua, strengthening the pearl farming industry through breeding programs, and advancing oyster and clam propagation suited to our lagoon temperatures.
- Enhancing our national climate resilience efforts, particularly in weather forecasting and climate change adaptation, through cooperation with global experts.
Brown said the Cook Islands Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration (MFAI) and the Seabed Minerals Authority (SBMA) would provide further updates today (Friday NZ time) on the details of meetings, including specific opportunities in the blue economy, scientific research, and trade development.
"This is an important journey for the Cook Islands, and I look forward to sharing more in the coming days as we finalise key agreements," Brown said.
Foreign Minister Winston Peters said no timeframe on when the China deal would be signed had been shared with New Zealand.
"Look, the situation's what I told you it was two days ago, yesterday, and the same today, because he still hasn't come back and we haven't got an update. Totally predictable because he doesn't arrive back until two days' time."
Asked if it would be signed tomorrow, he said: "I have no idea on that. Timing's not a part of our province of knowledge - we don't know.
"Of all the things we're dealing with at the moment and a lot of them are very very important, we have not had any schedule of that type ... we don't know when he will sign the deal, what the deal contains, or when he will be available for conversation. But look, if you want to know are we ahead of our planning on all these matters, of course we are and we have been for months."
