The Cook Islands may be small but the ambitions of its leader are mighty. A range of deals Prime Minister Mark Brown signed with China without consulting the public or New Zealand – an ally to which the Cooks is closely tied – has caused increasing irritation and concern.

The Cook Islands said it has formalized cooperation pacts with China, including an action plan for a comprehensive strategic partnership and an agreement covering exploration for seabed minerals.

Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown survived on Wednesday a vote of no confidence in parliament brought by the opposition over deals he struck with China that strained relations with New Zealand.

The Cook Islands said Saturday it has struck a five-year agreement with China to cooperate in exploring and researching the Pacific nation's seabed mineral riches.

The prime minister of the Cook Islands could be facing a no-confidence vote this week. It's part of the continuing political fallout from a recent agreement the government reached with China. HPRʻs Derrick Malama has more in the Pacific News Minute.

Prime Minister Mark Brown struck a strategic partnership with China this month, irking Cook Islands’ opposition and New Zealand.

The agreement is being denounced as a threat to New Zealand and used to justify its ongoing integration into US-led plans for war against China.

"The Cook Islands is small, and when you sign deals with economic giants like China, you have to question the long-term consequences."

The Cook Islands may be small but the ambitions of its leader are mighty and his signing of a range of deals with China without consulting the public or New Zealand – an ally to which it is closely tied – has caused increasing irritation and concern.

The Cook Islands said it has formalized cooperation pacts with China, including an action plan for a comprehensive strategic partnership and an agreement covering exploration for seabed minerals.

"The Cook Islands is small, and when you sign deals with economic giants like China, you have to question the long-term consequences."

The residents of the Cook Islands Southern Group Island continue to endure ongoing hardships due to inconsistent shipping while awaiting government-promised shipping improvements.