(Pictured L-R: Prime Minister of the Cook Islands Hon. Mr Mark Brown, Associate Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration Cook Islands Hon. Mr Tukaka Ama, Premier of the People’s Republic of China H.E Mr Li Qiang, Minister of Natural Resources Peoples Republic of China H.E Mr Guan Zhiou)
Cook Islands Prime Minister Hon. Mr Mark Brown met with the Premier of the Peoples Republic of China H.E Mr Li Qiang in Harbin yesterday where the two leaders committed to strengthening their bilateral relationship through the re-iteration of shared partnership principles and the articulation of priority areas for future co-operation.
The high-level meeting was the pinnacle of a weeklong state visit to China by Prime Minister Brown and his delegation which involved engagements with various institutions and industry leaders to exchange views, garner insights and explore possible future collaborations.
“I had very positive discussions with Premier Li and the signing of our Action Plan for the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. This provides opportunities for our government, our private sector and our people to benefit from enhanced partnership opportunities with China in areas aligned with our national interests and long-term development goals,” said Prime Minister Brown.
The Action Plan for Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) 2025-2030 establishes a structured framework for engagement between the Cook Islands and the Peoples Republic of China in a number of priority areas including trade and investment, tourism, ocean science, aquaculture, agriculture, infrastructure including transport, climate resilience, disaster preparedness, creative industries, technology and innovation, education and scholarships and people to people exchanges.
In reflecting on cooperation between the Cook Islands and China, Prime Minister Brown said “China has been steadfast in its support and contributions to the Cook Islands development priorities for 28 years. It has been respectful of Cook Islands sovereignty and supportive of our sustained and concerted efforts to secure economic resilience for our people amidst our various vulnerabilities and the many global challenges of our time including climate change and access to development finance.”
Recognising the strong public interest in the partnership arrangement, Prime Minister Brown reaffirmed his government’s commitment to transparency, “The Cook Islands will continue to make strategic decisions in the best long-term interests of our people. Our relationship and engagement with China complements, not replaces, our longstanding relationships with New Zealand and our various other bilateral, regional and multilateral partners – in the same way that China, New Zealand and all other states cultivate relations with a wide range of partners.”
“In our international engagements, the Cook Islands is guided by national priorities as shaped by national consultations and articulated in various policies – always with the best interests of our people at heart and ensuring the long-term security and prosperity of the Cook Islands,” said Prime Minister Brown.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Immigration (MFAI) will continue co-ordination and implementation oversight of the provisions of the action plan in the months ahead. The Action Plan will be made available on MFAI online platforms in the coming days, in keeping with the same consultation and transparency approach taken for the “Aotearoa New Zealand – Kuki Airani Cook Islands Vaka Houroa / Vaka Purua” partnership signed in 2022 and the “Cook Islands – Australia ‘Oa Tumanava Partnership” signed in 2022.
For media enquiries, please contact:
Office of the Prime Minister, Cook Islands
Annique Davis – annique.davis@cookislands.gov.ck
