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.

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.

In 2018, in a meeting with leaders from eight Pacific island countries, including then Cook Islands Prime Minister Henry Puna, Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed to elevate China's diplomatic ties with the group of nations.