New Zealand has suspended millions in funding to the Cook Islands over its growing China ties
“Relations between the smaller Pacific island nations and their regional backers Australia and New Zealand have stumbled in recent years as Beijing vies to increase its sway in the region. The latest move by New Zealand was striking because it reflects growing friction between two countries with strong constitutional ties over their diverging approaches to managing relations with Beijing. Cook Islands is self-governing but shares a military and passports with New Zealand.”
“News of the 18.2 million New Zealand dollar ($11 million) funding halt only emerged when a Cook Islands news outlet saw its brief mention in a government budget document. It’s likely to prove difficult for Luxon, who is due to meet President Xi Jinping this week.”
“The agreements didn’t promise security cooperation between Beijing and Cook Islands, but they did pledge more funding from China for infrastructure projects and educational scholarships. Not all of the documents [Cook Islands Prime Minister] Brown signed were released publicly.”