By Lucy Craymer
WELLINGTON (Reuters) -New Zealand expressed renewed concern on Monday about the Cook Islands’ prime minister travelling to China this week to sign agreements without properly consulting with Wellington despite the two nations’ constitutional ties.
New Zealand has become increasingly cautious about China’s growing presence in the Pacific region and the potential threats it poses to the country’s national security.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said on Monday at a press conference New Zealand expected transparency and consultation with Cook Islands after its prime minister, Mark Brown, announced that he was heading to China seeking a partnership in national development including infrastructure, trade and the economy.
The Cook Islands is a self-governing country in free association with New Zealand, which provides budget support and commits to defend the South Pacific nation, whose people are New Zealand citizens.
“Under our constitutional arrangements, we expect, you know, matters of defence and security to be transparently discussed between partners. That’s all we’re asking for here,” Luxon said.
He said once New Zealand knew what was in the proposed partnership, the government would respond.
China did not confirm the visit, but its foreign ministry on Monday called the Cook Islands an important partner in the South Pacific.
“China believes that New Zealand and the Cook Islands are both important partners of China,” ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun told a news briefing, adding that China’s ties with the Pacific nation are not aimed at any third party.
New Zealand has repeatedly asked the Cook Islands to consult on the contents of agreements that Brown plans to sign with China but has not received a proper response, deputy prime minister Winston Peter’s office said in a statement on Sunday.
“To those who suggest that our engagement with China is somehow secretive, I reject that completely,” Brown said in a video statement on Cook Islands Television News Facebook page on Friday, without providing specifics on that engagement.
“Every agreement we enter into will be in the best interest of the Cook Islands,” he said.
Cook Islanders have also questioned secrecy around the agreement. Tina Browne, leader of the opposition Democratic party, told New Zealand-based radio station 531pn that people were concerned about the lack of consultation firstly about a proposed Cook Islands’ passport and then about the agreement with China.
“If there is nothing to hide, why are we not consulting with New Zealand?” Browne said.
(Reporting by Lucy Craymer in Wellington and Christine Chen in Sydney; Additional reporting by Colleen Howe in Beijing; Additional writing by Liz Lee; Editing by Sonali Paul)
