Power shift in paradise: China’s quiet takeover sparks oceanic backlash
China steps into the Pacific: Cook Islands deal sends shockwaves through old alliances
The Cook Islands have signed a strategic partnership with China that could redraw the balance of power in the Pacific. The agreement, championed by Prime Minister Mark Brown, focuses on economic cooperation, maritime infrastructure investment, and the development of deep-sea mining operations.
What might look like a routine bilateral deal has triggered a wave of concern far beyond Avarua. Australia and New Zealand – long-time allies and security partners in the region – have raised the alarm. New Zealand’s Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters called out the lack of transparency, pointing out that the Cook Islands, while self-governing, remain in a “free association” with Wellington. That relationship comes with an expectation of consultation on defence and foreign policy matters.
From Canberra’s perspective, this is more than just a diplomatic misstep – it’s a potential strategic threat. Security analysts have described the deal as a “nightmare scenario”, warning that Chinese-built infrastructure in the region could be dual-use, opening the door to military applications and establishing a firmer Chinese presence in what’s traditionally been an Australian sphere of influence.
Even within the Cook Islands, the move hasn’t gone unchallenged. Around 400 people took to the streets of Avarua in protest, accusing the government of secrecy and voicing fears that the deal could erode national sovereignty. For some, it signals the beginning of a long-term economic and political dependence on Beijing.
Prime Minister Brown, however, has defended the agreement. He argues it’s not about abandoning old partners, but about broadening the country’s options in a volatile global landscape. “Diversifying doesn’t mean choosing sides,” he said. “It means survival.”
This isn’t an isolated case. Across the Pacific, island nations are increasingly looking to alternatives outside their historical Western partnerships, lured by China’s financial backing and fast-track infrastructure promises. As regional diplomacy shifts into a more multipolar game, the old assumptions that guided Pacific politics are starting to crumble.
Where this new wave of diplomacy leads is still unclear. But one thing is certain: the strategic calm once taken for granted in this part of the world is being replaced by a tense and dynamic realignment. China’s advance into the blue heart of the Pacific isn’t just a headline – it may be the start of a new geopolitical chapter.
Power shift in paradise. China’s quiet takeover sparks oceanic backlash