The deal does not involve any agreement to give an exploration or mining licence to China, says the Cook Islands government.

The Cook Islands said on Saturday it has struck a five-year agreement with China to cooperate in exploring and researching ...

The Cook Islands has announced five-year agreement with China for the exploration of seabed minerals. New Zealand has urged the self-governing nation to keep to its "free association" relationship ...

The Cook Islands said it has formalized cooperation pacts with China, including an action plan for a comprehensive strategic ...

Analysis: This is no mere holiday snapshot – this is the Cooks PM discovering China's seabed mining expertise, writes ...

The defence minister says the presence of Chinese warships carrying out live-fire exercises in the Tasman Sea is "unusual", ...

The island's Seabed Minerals Authority says it has held "high-level" discussions with several institutes to advance ...

It is no secret that the mass production of cars, telephones, computers and other household goods has led to the accelerated ...

While visiting China last week, Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown signed a comprehensive strategic partnership (CSP), while the country's Seabed Minerals Authority (SBMA) met with Chinese ...

The Cook Islands has announced a controversial deal with China focusing on seabed mineral cooperation, stirring tensions with ...

A copy of the deal shows it covers cooperation - but does not involve any agreement to give a license for mining, or exploration. The Cook Islands also signed a Joint Plan for Comprehensive Strategic ...