New Zealand Cuts Aid to Cook Islands Over China Ties
New Zealand has announced it will suspend millions of dollars in development aid to the Cook Islands due to their signing of a comprehensive strategic partnership agreement with China.
The details of the agreement have not been fully disclosed and were not negotiated with New Zealand beforehand, causing discontent within the New Zealand government. New Zealand has maintained a long-standing partnership with the Cook Islands, but the new agreement signed in February includes clauses for seabed resource exploration and diplomatic cooperation, raising concerns about transparency.
New Zealand has stated that it will not restore funding until the Cook Islands actively work to rebuild trust between the two nations.
