China and the Cook Islands on Friday signed a comprehensive strategic partnership agreement, but the lack of transparency around the details has alarmed New Zealand, the South Pacific state’s closest democratic ally.

No details have been released, but analysts and environmentalists fear it will pave the way for closer security ties and the start of deep-sea mining.

The Cook Islands said on Saturday that it signed a comprehensive strategic partnership deal with China, a move expected to raise concerns in New Zealand with which it has constitutional ties. Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown and Chinese Premier Li Qiang signed the deal in Harbin,

China says a visit this week by the Cook Islands' prime minister to Beijing was not meant to conspire against anyone in the South Pacific, despite the trip stirring up a diplomatic spat between the tiny nation and its chief benefactor,

China acknowledged a visit by the Cook Islands leader for the first time on Thursday, amid exasperation in New Zealand that it was not consulted about expected agreements involving the South Pacific nation,

Beijing revealed details of its meeting with Prime Minister Mark Brown for the first time on Thursday, as New Zealand Foreign Minister faces criticism for bullying.

Cook Islands signs strategic partnership with China, raising concerns in New Zealand over growing Chinese presence in the Pacific.

China is willing to deepen mutual political trust with the Cook Islands, China's Premier Li Qiang said during a meeting with Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown, China's national television broadcaster reported on Friday.

Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown is visiting China, marking the first such visit in a decade. The trip, focused on strategic partnerships across various sectors, has drawn criticism from New Zealand due to the lack of consultation despite their constitutional ties with the island nation.