During a recent visit to China, Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown expressed his enthusiasm for strengthening ties with China, focusing on mutual respect and sustainable development. “My visit is planting the seeds for long-term collaboration,” Brown said.
Prime Minister Brown attended the closing ceremony of the Asian Winter Games in Harbin, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province, as part of his week-long state visit from February 10 to 16. In an exclusive interview, he emphasized the importance of enhancing cooperation across key sectors such as trade, tourism, infrastructure, climate resilience, and renewable energy.
“The Cook Islands and China have shared diplomatic relations for 28 years,” Brown noted. “Our partnership is grounded in mutual respect, and we’re looking forward to expanding our cooperation in areas that benefit both our nations.”
Pacific island countries like the Cook Islands are increasingly seeking partnerships to bolster development and address challenges such as climate change. Brown highlighted that collaboration with China could bring significant advancements in renewable energy and climate resilience, critical areas for the island nation.
“We believe that working together with China can help us achieve our sustainable development goals,” he said. “It’s about creating a better future for our people.”
The Prime Minister’s visit signifies a step forward in strengthening the ties between the two countries, with potential agreements on the horizon that could impact trade and development in the region.
