[By Guancha Observer Network, Liu Chenghui] New Zealand is getting anxious again as the Cook Islands strengthens its relations with China.

According to a June 19 report by Hong Kong's English-language media South China Morning Post, a spokesperson for New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters issued a statement on the same day, suspending an allocation of 18.2 million New Zealand dollars (approximately 78.24 million Chinese yuan) in budget funds to the Cook Islands due to its deepening ties with China.

The spokesperson for Foreign Minister Peters stated in a declaration that New Zealand had decided in early June to suspend payment of the core sector support funding amounting to 18.2 million New Zealand dollars for the fiscal year 2025-26, as this assistance "depends on highly trusting bilateral relations."

"We will not consider providing significant new funding until specific measures are taken by the government of the Cook Islands to repair the relationship and rebuild trust," the statement added. "New Zealand hopes the Cook Islands will quickly take steps to address New Zealand’s concerns so that this support can be restored as soon as possible."

Photo caption: New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters

The spokesperson also mentioned that the agreements signed between the Cook Islands and China, along with the lack of consultation with New Zealand, indicate a deviation in understanding the special relationship between the two countries.

"Trust and meaningful engagement form the foundation of free association," the spokesperson said.

In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration of the Cook Islands said there was a disagreement over the understanding of consultation obligations, and the issue is currently being urgently addressed. The Cook Islands expressed gratitude for the assistance from New Zealand while committing to restoring the high level of mutual trust with New Zealand.

"The Cook Islands has consistently emphasized that New Zealand remains its closest partner in security and defense, and this position has not changed."

The statement also noted that formal dialogue mechanisms have been established and two meetings have been held to assess the risks associated with the agreements signed between the Cook Islands and China, making progress in this regard.

The Cook Islands is an autonomous state in free association with New Zealand. New Zealand has committed to defending this South Pacific nation upon request, and citizens of the Cook Islands hold New Zealand citizenship. Both parties have also committed to consultations on security, defense, and foreign affairs.

Over the past three years, New Zealand has provided 194.2 million New Zealand dollars (approximately 835 million Chinese yuan) in development aid to the Cook Islands through its development assistance program.

In February, Prime Minister Mark Brown of the Cook Islands visited China and signed multiple cooperation agreements covering areas such as deep-sea mining and educational scholarships, but excluding security relations.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiaqun emphasized at the time that China's cooperation with the Cook Islands does not target any third party and should not be interfered with by any third party, which is China's consistent stance.

New Zealand still complained that the Cook Islands did not consult appropriately with the New Zealand side before signing documents, thus violating the agreement between the two countries. New Zealand stated that Brown learned of the decision to suspend financial assistance via a letter in early June.

Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown, New Zealand Broadcasting Service

The news of the frozen funds came as New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Lackson was visiting China. It was reported that Lackson would meet with Chinese leaders on the 20th and is expected to mention the increasingly close relationship between the Cook Islands and China, as well as New Zealand’s alleged "security concerns" regarding China's actions in the Pacific region.

When asked if China might feel discontent, Lackson responded, "This is a problem between the Cook Islands and New Zealand." "It has established a comprehensive partnership with China. However, our concern lies in the lack of transparency in negotiations involving the Cook Islands."

According to the official website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, at the invitation of Premier Li Qiang of the State Council, New Zealand Prime Minister Lackson will make an official visit to China from June 17 to 20.

This visit is Lackson's first trip to China since assuming office. Spokesperson Lin Jian introduced at a regular press conference on the 13th that during his visit, the Chinese leader will hold separate meetings and talks with Prime Minister Lackson of New Zealand to have in-depth exchanges of views on Sino-New Zealand relations and international and regional issues of common concern.

South China Morning Post described that both New Zealand and Australia are increasingly vigilant about China's growing influence in the Pacific region and the potential "national security threat" it may pose. In January this year, New Zealand also stopped development assistance to Kiribati in Micronesia.

Nevertheless, these voices have not affected the deepening cooperation between China and South Pacific nations.

On May 29, the Third Foreign Ministers' Meeting between China and Pacific Island Countries with Diplomatic Relations concluded successfully in Xiamen, Fujian Province, sending out a strong note of win-win cooperation.

"Such ministerial-level meetings may be one of the most important activities outside the region for South Pacific nations. China can offer them much, whereas Australia and the United States cannot," said Artemy Kalin, a researcher at the Center for Southeast Asia, Australia, and Oceania Studies of the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences. For these countries, facing tariff pressures from the U.S., discussing matters with China is very important.

Emphasis was placed on practical cooperation initiatives proposed by China in talks, aimed at jointly advancing economic development and humanitarian projects. In contrast, China does not "interfere" in how Oceanian countries operate. Instead, China proposes pragmatic cooperation measures to promote economic development and humanitarian projects together. For these countries, discussing matters with China is crucial amid U.S. tariff pressures.

This article is an exclusive piece by the Guancha Observer Network and cannot be reprinted without permission.

Original source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7517589415678542373/

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