WELLINGTON, Feb 22, (V7N) - The Cook Islands announced on Saturday that it has signed a five-year agreement with China to collaborate on exploring and researching the Pacific nation's seabed mineral resources.

The deal, which covers cooperation in the "exploration and research of seabed mineral resources," could strain relations with New Zealand, the Cook Islands' close ally and former colonial ruler.

However, the Cook Islands government clarified that the memorandum of understanding (MoU) with China does not grant any exploration or mining licenses.

Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown emphasized that the agreement aligns with a broader partnership pact he signed during his recent state visit to China, which focuses on trade, investment, and seabed mineral resource collaboration.

"Our seabed minerals section remains under strict regulatory oversight, ensuring that all decisions are made transparently and in the best interest of the Cook Islands and its people," Brown said in a statement.

New Zealand has voiced concerns over the Cook Islands' growing ties with China, accusing its government of a lack of consultation and transparency regarding the broader partnership agreement.

The Cook Islands, a self-governing nation with a population of 17,000, has a "free association" relationship with New Zealand, which provides financial assistance and support in foreign affairs and defense. Cook Islanders also hold New Zealand citizenship.

The Pacific island nation has granted exploration licenses to three companies for investigating the seabed for mineral-rich nodules containing nickel and cobalt—key materials for electric vehicle batteries. These licenses, issued in 2022, allow for exploration but do not permit mining.

Despite the potential economic benefits, the Cook Islands government has stated that no decision on harvesting the seabed minerals will be made until environmental and other impacts have been thoroughly assessed.

Nevertheless, Prime Minister Brown has previously highlighted the potential financial advantages of the seabed mining industry, stressing the need for the Cook Islands to generate revenue to combat climate change and ensure economic resilience.

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