<
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jul/14/caught-in-the-contest-between-china-and-the-west-the-cook-islands-asks-where-its-future-lies>
"On a remote stretch of land in the Cook Islands lies a second world war
airstrip. Once used as a wartime supply route by American forces, the narrow
runway is in dire need of resealing to allow larger tourist jets to land.
Leaders on the northern island of Penrhyn have asked New Zealand, Australia and
the US to help, but none have come through. Now, they hope China will step in
and fund it.
“That is the dream,” says Penrhyn’s executive director, Puna John Vano. “We
want to maintain our traditional partners, but if not, we’re going to get
assistance from elsewhere.”
Funding for the airstrip is a symbol of a wider struggle unfolding in the Cook
Islands, a new front in the contest between China and the west in the Pacific.
The country of about 17,000 people has seen ties with its biggest ally and
former colonial partner New Zealand fray as leaders draw it closer to Beijing.
The Cook Islands struck major deals with China earlier this year for economic
and other kinds of cooperation, sparking a diplomatic row with Wellington over
a lack of consultation.
Cook Islands operates in “free association” New Zealand and while it governs
its own affairs, Wellington provides assistance including in foreign affairs
and defence. Tensions escalated and last month New Zealand abruptly cut off
millions of dollars in critical aid and funding.
Now, the path ahead is unclear. On the country’s main island, Rarotonga, many
are angry over the damage caused to relations with New Zealand. Some welcome
more Chinese investment but others raise questions over what it will bring. The
Cook Islands prime minister, Mark Brown, and his government declined requests
for an interview. But others, such as the opposition leader, Tina Browne, were
vocal in their criticism of Beijing building its influence in the Cook Islands.
“China frightens me. Its involvement with my country scares me a bit,” Browne
says. “You have this big power and small, small us. What sort of voice would we
have?”"
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
