Cook Islands’ PM Survives No-Confidence Vote Over China Deal ‘Threatening Christian Nation’
By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News
AVARUA (Worthy News) – Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown has survived a vote of no confidence in parliament over his controversial deal with China, which protesters said threatened the country’s future as a “Christian nation.”
The opposition brought Wednesday’s vote over multi-million dollar deals he struck with China that strained relations with New Zealand, the Cook Islands’ traditional ally.
Members of parliament voted 13-9 to defeat the motion introduced by the Cook Islands United Party. Two members abstained from voting. The government has 14 seats in the 24-seat unicameral parliament, while the opposition holds 10.
Opposition lawmaker Teariki Heather, who moved the motion to oust Brown’s cabinet, said: “We want to stand on our own two feet and make our own decisions, but there’s a big ‘but’ there. “Who has supported us during the past? Our relationship with New Zealand.”
Brown visited Beijing this month to strike a strategic partnership with China that covers education, the economy, infrastructure, fisheries, disaster management, and seabed mining.
The “Comprehensive Strategic Partnership” signed between the two nations includes an initial $4 million payment for “projects” involving the South Pacific country but also marks the beginning of potential deep sea critical mining activity.
Brown’s dealings set off alarm bells in New Zealand, with which it has constitutional ties, due to concerns about China’s growing presence in the region and the potential threats to the country’s national security.
COOKS ISLANDS PROTESTS
Protesters held a rally ahead of Wednesday’s vote, expressing concern that Communist-run China will gain too much influence over the Cook Islands.
“We stand and raise our voices to say let us partner with countries that have the same Christian values, for we are a Christian nation, and with countries that have the same democratic principles,” stressed local businesswoman Jackie Tuara.
“We do not want our lands and oceans sold to the highest bidder; those resources are for our children for their future. I don’t want to see our nation prostituted for our resources,” added Tuara amid reports that Beijing seeks to control vast mineral rights within the Cook Islands Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
Tere Carr, another businesswoman at the rally, said Brown led the people “on a merry dance with him making deals with China, putting our passport and relationship with New Zealand at risk.”
The leader of the Cook Islands United Party (CIUP), Teariki Heather, who led the march on Parliament, also spoke of a failed Cook Islands passport proposal.
It would have seen citizens lose their New Zealand citizenship, a country with which it has “free association” status.
The passport idea was part of a government initiative to mark 60 years of self-governance.
ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP
That move would have also impacted the nearly 100,000 Cook Islanders living in New Zealand and the relative few still living at home.
However, Prime Minister Brown told parliament Wednesday that it was his responsibility to seek “every opportunity that benefits our people.”
“Just as New Zealand and Australia and other nations pursue economic partnerships that serve their national interests, we too must act in our own personal interests,” he added.
The Cook Islands is self-governing and maintains free association with Wellington, sharing Brittish King Charles as their head of state, as well as citizenship rights.
The overwhelmingly Christian but tiny nation of roughly 8,000-15,000 people is permitted an independent foreign policy.
However, the Cook Islands and New Zealand must ” consult” on security, defense, and foreign policy issues, including those related to China.
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