New Zealand authorities have shown intense worry about the Cook Islands plan to establish foreign relations with China while Prime Minister Mark Brown visits Beijing during the upcoming week. The planned “joint action plan” seeks to build up a “comprehensive strategic partnership” causing Wellington to question the lack of proper consultation.
The Cook Islands, a self-governing Pacific nation with a “free association” pact with New Zealand, relies on Wellington for budgetary support and foreign affairs guidance. The New Zealand Foreign Diplomacy Department expressed substantial worry about the insufficient consultations through Winston Peters’ representative.
The recent visit occurs at a time when China expands its diplomatic power across the Pacific while testing traditional forces which include the U.S. alongside Australia and New Zealand. The spokesman of Peters declared that New Zealand requires careful evaluation of any potential threats to its fundamental national interests. 
Prime Minister Brown argued for this visit by saying it will help develop economic prospects without harming Cook Islands self-governance. Small Pacific countries now find themselves facing rising geostrategic challenges because they need to decide which major powers will be their political allies.
