Pacific Island Leaders Assert Sovereignty Amid Growing China Partnerships
Mark Brown on China Deal: “No Need for New Zealand to Sit in the Room with Us”
Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown has firmly pushed back against New Zealand’s calls for greater oversight of his nation’s upcoming comprehensive strategic partnership with China. The agreement, set to be signed in Beijing from February 10 to 14, marks a significant step for the Cook Islands, a self-governing nation in free association with New Zealand.
Brown underscored the Cook Islands’ sovereign right to conduct its own foreign relations, even as it maintains its historic ties with New Zealand. “New Zealand did not consult with us when they signed their comprehensive partnership agreement with China in 2014, and we do not expect to consult with them now,” Brown told RNZ Pacific. “There is no need for New Zealand to sit in the room with us while we negotiate our agreement with China. We have kept them informed, but the level of detail they are demanding is unnecessary.”
New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters has expressed unease about the lack of transparency surrounding the deal, stating, “The reality is we’ve not been informed about the nature of the arrangements they seek in Beijing.” This tension reflects a broader geopolitical shift in the Pacific, as island nations increasingly diversify their foreign relations, particularly with China, amid perceived waning engagement from traditional allies like the United States.
A Growing Trend Across the Pacific
The Cook Islands is not alone in pursuing closer ties with China. The Solomon Islands signed a controversial police cooperation agreement with Beijing in 2023, elevating their relationship to a “comprehensive strategic partnership.” Similarly, nations like Kiribati, Vanuatu, and Papua New Guinea have expanded bilateral agreements with China, focusing on infrastructure development, resource management, and security cooperation.
These agreements often mirror the comprehensive partnership New Zealand signed with China in 2014, which set a precedent for Pacific nations to follow. Prime Minister Brown highlighted this similarity, noting, “What we’re signing is not fundamentally different from what New Zealand has already done.”
However, the stakes are higher for smaller Pacific nations. While these countries welcome China’s economic investments—ranging from deep-sea mining research in the Cook Islands to major port developments in Vanuatu—there is growing concern among traditional allies like New Zealand, Australia, and the U.S. about the potential security implications of China’s expanding influence.
Navigating the U.S. Pivot Away from the Pacific
Under the new U.S. administration, Pacific leaders sense a declining focus on the region. Historically, the Pacific has been viewed as a strategic buffer by Washington, but recent U.S. foreign policy has been dominated by domestic priorities and crises in Europe and the Middle East. This perceived neglect has created an opening for China to strengthen its presence through economic diplomacy and strategic partnerships.
For Pacific nations, this shift presents both opportunities and challenges. On one hand, Chinese investments promise critical infrastructure, maritime capabilities, and economic growth. On the other, these deals raise questions about debt sustainability, environmental impacts, and long-term strategic autonomy.
Balancing Sovereignty with Strategic Partnerships
Brown has repeatedly reassured New Zealand that the new agreement with China will not compromise the Cook Islands’ security commitments. “We’ve assured New Zealand over and over that there will be no surprises, especially on security matters,” he said. However, he remained firm that the details of the agreement are the prerogative of his government until officially signed.
The Cook Islands is also seeking practical benefits from the partnership, such as assistance with acquiring a new inter-island vessel to replace its aging maritime infrastructure. This pragmatic approach reflects the broader trend among Pacific Island leaders, who prioritize tangible development outcomes over geopolitical rivalries.
Tensions with New Zealand have also flared over other issues, such as the Cook Islands’ controversial passport proposal and its international shipping registry. The recent seizure of a Cook Islands-flagged vessel carrying Russian oil by Finnish authorities has further strained relations, highlighting the complex interplay between national sovereignty and international obligations.
The Road Ahead for Pacific Diplomacy
As Pacific Island nations navigate these evolving dynamics, they face the delicate task of balancing traditional alliances with emerging partnerships. While leaders like Mark Brown assert their countries’ right to independent foreign policies, the broader Pacific region is becoming an increasingly contested space where global powers vie for influence.
For New Zealand and Australia, both members of the Five Eyes intelligence alliance alongside the U.S., U.K., and Canada, the shifting geopolitical landscape presents significant challenges. If the U.S. continues to disengage from the Pacific, it could complicate intelligence-sharing efforts and weaken the strategic cohesion of the alliance. This shift may leave New Zealand and Australia to shoulder a larger burden in monitoring and responding to geopolitical developments in the region.
As Pacific nations openly move toward closer ties with China, the challenge for New Zealand and Australia will be to maintain strategic influence without alienating their Pacific neighbours. This dynamic underscores the need for renewed diplomatic efforts, adaptive security strategies, and deeper regional engagement from all Five Eyes members.
In this new era, the ability of Pacific leaders to manage these relationships—without compromising their nations’ sovereignty or security—will be crucial. As Brown aptly put it, “We can agree to disagree, as mature nation-states do. Disagreements don’t mean relationships are broken; they are simply part of the process of asserting our identity and our future.”
The coming years will test the resilience of these relationships and the ability of Pacific nations to navigate the complexities of a rapidly changing geopolitical landscape. For the Cook Islands and its neighbours, the pursuit of sovereignty and development remains paramount, even as they walk the tightrope between traditional allies and emerging powers.
