1 Year In: How the China-Cook Islands Partnership Agreement Is Shaping Up

1 Year In: How the China-Cook Islands Partnership Agreement Is Shaping Up

China took an extraordinary diplomatic step last February by unveiling a comprehensive strategic agreement with the Cook Islands. Avarua’s decision was surprising in itself, but more striking was the scale of the deal. It was the most expansive agreement Beijing has ever concluded with a South Pacific nation. The partnership pledged cooperation across economic and infrastructure development, seabed mining, and maritime resilience.   Almost a yea…