BEIJING: China warned "third parties" against interfering in its relations with the Cook Islands, after New Zealand signed a new defence agreement with the tiny Pacific nation on Thursday.
The deal, signed in Rarotonga, reset ties after New Zealand halted millions of dollars in aid, citing a "lack of consultation" over agreements the Cook Islands struck with China in February 2025 covering deep-sea mining, regional cooperation and economic issues.
China's foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said when asked about the new pact that Beijing's ties with the Cook Islands "shouldn't be interfered with or constrained by any third party".
"All parties' ties with Pacific Island countries should genuinely respect island countries' independence and autonomy," Mao told a news conference on Thursday, without naming New Zealand.
China-Cook Island relations are based on "mutual respect, equal support and shared development", she said.
The self-governing Cook Islands has a "free association" pact with New Zealand, its former colonial ruler, which provides budgetary assistance as well as help on foreign affairs and defence.
New Zealand had provided $116 million to the Cook Islands between 2022 and 2025, according to government figures, but halted funding in response to the China deal.
New Zealand's Foreign Minister Winston Peters said the funding support would now resume.
Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown has stressed the new pact with New Zealand would not affect the deal with China.
"This declaration is about security and defence across our region, and I'm confident that the provisions we have in this declaration will address any concerns that may have occurred in the past, and will certainly address any concerns moving forward," Brown said.
After signing the agreement on Thursday, Peters declared the Cook Islands' deal with China was "not a concern of mine".
"If anyone understands the Polynesian society, cousins fall out now and again," Peters said. "Our job is getting it back."