"Military pact" between China and the Cook Islands: Beijing's first strike on U.S. security architecture in the Indo-Pacific during Donald Trump's presidency

On February 14, 2025, the Cook Islands and the PRC signed a strategic agreement on Chinese financing for mineral exploration and research under the One Belt, One Road program. This step was part of updating the strategic partnership plan between the two countries for 2025-2030.

According to it, Beijing will be able to build and control maritime (research) infrastructure in the northern territories of the Cook Islands and "ensure law and order" during natural disasters.

The agreement provides for the possibility of permanent deployment in the Cook Islands of representatives of the Second Institute of Oceanography of the People's Republic of China, which is involved in military intelligence activities. The details of the new memorandums were not disclosed by the government of the Cook Islands.