The Cook Islands announced on Saturday that it has entered into a five-year agreement with China to collaborate on exploring and researching the Pacific nation’s seabed mineral resources. A copy of the memorandum of understanding (MoU), signed during a state visit to China, outlines cooperation in “exploration and research of seabed mineral resources.” The agreement has drawn criticism from New Zealand, the Cook Islands’ former colonial ruler, for perceived lack of transparency.
Under the deal, a joint committee will oversee various aspects of the partnership, including training and technology transfer related to seabed minerals, logistics support, and deep-sea ecosystem research. However, the Cook Islands government clarified that the agreement does not grant China any exploration or mining licenses.
Prime Minister Mark Brown had previously disclosed details of a broader partnership agreement with China, signed during his state visit this month. On Saturday, his office released three additional agreements: the seabed minerals deal, a maritime industries agreement, and a Chinese development aid grant worth 20 million yuan (US$2.7 million).
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The Cook Islands, a self-governing Pacific nation with a population of 17,000, maintains a “free association” status with New Zealand, which provides budgetary assistance and support in foreign affairs and defense. Cook Islanders also hold New Zealand citizenship.
Brown emphasized that the seabed minerals agreement aligns with the broader cooperation framework between the Cook Islands and China, focusing on trade, investment, and the seabed minerals sector.
“Our seabed minerals section remains under strict regulatory oversight, ensuring that all decisions are made transparently and in the best interest of the Cook Islands and its people,” Brown stated.
New Zealand Voices Concern
New Zealand has expressed concerns over the Cook Islands’ growing engagement with China, particularly regarding the transparency of agreements signed during Brown’s state visit. Wellington has demanded full disclosure of all accords reached between the Cook Islands and Beijing.
“We note the release today of further agreements signed by the Governments of the Cook Islands and China,” said a spokesperson for New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters. “We will now analyze the contents of these agreements, focusing on their implications for New Zealand, the Cook Islands people, and the Realm of New Zealand.”
China’s increasing diplomatic, economic, and military presence in the Pacific has alarmed New Zealand, Australia, and the United States. However, Brown has maintained that the agreements do not impact the Cook Islands’ existing relations with New Zealand and other international partners.
The Cook Islands has granted exploration licenses to three companies to assess the viability of extracting metal-rich nodules from its seabed. These nodules, containing valuable minerals such as nickel and cobalt, are in high demand for electric vehicle batteries. Despite issuing five-year exploration licenses in 2022, the government has stated that a final decision on seabed mining will depend on thorough environmental and economic assessments.
Brown has previously highlighted the potential economic benefits of the seabed minerals industry, stating that revenue from such ventures is crucial for the Cook Islands’ efforts to mitigate climate change impacts.
