As documented in popular Australian national affairs programme – Channel 9’s A Current Affair, China’s increasing military, political and financial presence in the South Pacific is causing much concern for all the Island nations and their governments; even the world. Governments such as the U.S., Australia and New Zealand have expressed deep concerns as a result of China’s recent affairs and influence within the South Pacific.
Only 2 months ago, the Royal Australian Navy conducted military practices on the shores of Suva, Fiji. And only km’s away spying on them was a Chinese surveillance ship, equipped with hi-tech satellites and technology. Besides their military presence, the Chinese have begun to infiltrate the South Pacific nations with many businesses being owned by the Chinese as well as many workers now being Chinese. China’s influence in countries such as Fiji, Tonga, Vanuatu and many more is now very noticeable. They’ve even built their own government buildings in South Pacific countries. Many projects are now Chinese-aided and with the financial debts of many Pacific countries to the Chinese government and Asian-owned banks such as the Asian Development Bank, many of these South Pacific countries are now unable to pay off their debts. That being said, it’s only a matter of time before the Chinese come asking for their money back…
Considering the fact that China is building military bases in the South Pacific, alongside the massive amounting debt of South Pacific nations to China in excess of over $1.3 billion, it’s now time to start putting extreme pressure on the Cook Islands Parliament to start paying off our debt to China and the Asian banks – before it’s too late.
“We must demand Parliament to put into place an economic plan that’ll see us pay off the current national debt of $180 million+ within the immediate short-term future.” – Nūti Media 🇨🇰
Cook Islands Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister, Mark Brown claimed in a CITV interview on August 17th that our nation’s financial status is “very, very strong” but was then quick to address our country’s debt levels, which he stated, “is being managed prudently”.
Just a reminder Mr. Brown that the Cook Islands’ national debt levels are at a gross of $101 million and a net of $80 million; most of which, if not all, is owed to China. He also stated that “we are in a good position to take on more debt if we wanted to” comparing the Cook Islands’ national debt levels to other countries in the South Pacific. However, the Deputy PM then added that the Cook Islands has a net cash reserve of $84 million, which is available spending money for Parliament.
So are there plans to use any of this money to pay off the money you owe to China?
Do you plan on borrowing more money from the Chinese and putting our nation’s economy into more debt?
Chinese influence in the Cook Islands is now prominent as recently we’ve seen a surge of Chinese activity within our Islands. Just last month, the first-ever Chinese speaking competition in the Cook Islands was held in Rarotonga with many young Kūki children taking part.
3 weeks ago, a delegate of Chinese officials visited Rarotonga and during their visit met-up with Secretary of Culture Anthony Turua, to discuss a partnership with the Chinese and Cook Islands for a national archives preservation program as well as donating LCD screens for the National Auditorium. Minister of Culture, MP George Maggie didn’t hold back on taking advantage of the Chinese’ offerings, even suggesting they should buy them (Ministry of Culture) a new 4WD truck. While it may have seemed friendly and ‘good for business’, Mr. Turua mentions that the Chinese officials in partnership would be in charge of the infrastructure and would also in the next 3 years look “at what our needs are, in support of our (Cook Islands’) industry.” While the exact details of this partnership are unknown, this could be another potential loophole for Chinese influence over the Cook Islands with the Ministry of Culture now firmly working with the Chinese government.
So what does this all mean?
The Chinese have begun their invasion of the South Pacific and the Cook Islands. Now it even seems that sadly, countries like PNG, Samoa, Tonga, and Fiji are now under Chinese control. They’ve gotten a hold of most of the South Pacific and have begun establishing their power and influence within our land and seas. Unfortunately for countries like PNG and Vanuatu who are already in debt heavily to the Chinese, they now cannot afford loan repayments and as a result, we will see their assets and land seized by the Chinese very soon – unless countries like Australia, New Zealand or the U.S. can somehow step in to help.
We should expect to start seeing more Chinese people arrive in the Cook Islands such as investors, politicians, and workers for Chinese-backed infrastructure projects in the Islands.
For us Cook Islanders, it’s time for the people to rise up and take action before it’s too late. We must demand Parliament to put into place an economic plan that’ll see us pay off the current national debt of $180 million+ within the immediate short-term future. If we don’t put pressure on our Government to start taking action now, we will end up yet another South Pacific nation taken over by China.
We’ll keep you updated as we continue to expose the Chinese agenda in the Cook Islands and the entire South Pacific. Kia manuia!
Nūti Media | Alternative Cook Islands News Source 
The Cook Islands Government seriously need to overlook and see what is happening here, Noticing our other fellow South Pacific islands in debt to China, is Henry Puna not scared one bit, or has pure greed taken over his head, therefore thinking what’s best for himself rather than the people. Stating the obvious China also wants the Cook Islands under it’s control, it’s now or never for our people/nation to take over and rise up and realise before it’s too late.. Aroha atu, and Kia Manuia..
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Budget,save n pay the loan back i have generations of family members in the cookislands dont make it all disappear for all the cookisland ppl pay the debt back😠😠😠
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Isn’t it funny how all of a sudden (or not) this has been highlighted as an issue or a problem for us to fear. Didn’t we already go through something similar, when the ‘ex-pats’, came to the Cooks tasked with building a judicial, governorship locally. This I am only guessing was sold to us along the lines of ‘you can run your country, your way’ using this system. The reality is we started loosing our economics, land ownership and business entrepreneurship then. The only difference is now is we are told, if we don’t do anything the Chinese will own everything. Don’t get me wrong, the threat is real, and the government has to ‘do the right thang’. Put aside obvious greed, and self interest, and put the peoples well-being first for once. Can we ask our government to do that, we can, will they do it? Only time will tell, if they dig deep down, and put their cultural hat on during their decision making. Then we may have a chance, of coming out of this less scathe than our pacific neighbours. Now back to the topic at hand, “be careful the Chinese are coming”. Correct me if I am wrong, I am sure there are more qualified people to say whether I am correct or not. 70 / 80% of the Cook Island economy is owned by one family? Is this person born a Cook Islander? Does this family actually care about your say in how it accumulates their wealth? Is your hourly wage matched to the obvious inflation increases over the years? Is there a strong enough economy for everyone to prosper? Do we need foreigners working our jobs? Why are our people not working? Do the financial operators actually explain loans, how to services them and the consequences of failing to services them. These are some of the things I am interested in, and guess what? This already exist, it’s not from Mr Bruce Lee invading our economy, promising you a new car, while he on-sells your land. It’s Mr Jon Doe, who is already there and has been for over 50 years and counting. YOU ALL KNOW THIS IS TRUE, we are just distracted by the big lights and bold headings. “Chinese are coming”. What about Mr Jon Doe, who has been operating among you for over 50 years. What are the government going to do, well there is not much they can do. My advise to you is to not put too much faith in the government, to make decisions that benefit the whole of their constituents. My advise would be to assess which out of the two options make it easier, and better for the whole of the Cook Islands. Either way we are screwed, its up to each and everyone of us to decide what the looks like. Are we better off screwed by the Chinese, or continue being screwed by Mr Jon Doe. That’s often the only options we are given. There is a third option, and that’s for all of our people to unite economically. We can do this by being your own boss, sharing insight together, seek the professional training you require. Then you can run, own, utilise your new found skills to be more independent. I’ll warn you thought, it won’t be easy. Part of the road blockers are our people. Ask your self, has Mr Doe actually help you be your own boss? Have they given business advice? Have they been mentors for you to ask the tough questions, and get the right answers? If they haven’t, then may be it’s time for us to do things differently. A sign of insanity is – “Doing the same S%^&, and expecting different outcomes”. So the threat is not coming, it’s here, now what are we going to do about it?
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I pray for Cook Islands governments to seek immediate help from the new Zealand government and the Queen or the Governor General of the United Kingdom. Let our 15 (12) Islands long with our pacific Island neighbours band together to help the Cook Islands government and STOP… The Chinese invasion.
Arohanui
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Yes I totally agree with the writer. Lets stnd up and protect our country,
Our land and the intergrity of our people. Ko te manamanata teia me riro te moni ei akatere i te basileia. Kia tauturu mai te Atua i ta tatou kavamani kia rave ratou i te mea kia tiratiratu ta tatou uki mokopuna kia vai te au ki te au uki ravarai. Kia manuia.
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