New Zealand Pauses Cook Islands Funding Over China Agreements
New Zealand has paused funding to the Cook Islands after the tiny South Pacific nation signed agreements with China without the expected level of consultation.
The strategic partnership agreement signed in February with Beijing includes cooperation on seabed mining and the establishment of diplomatic missions. While the Cook Islands is a self-governing state, it is part of the realm of New Zealand and has a special constitutional relationship with Wellington, its primary development partner.
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