New Zealand and the United States will jointly fund upgrades to Cook Islands atoll ports to counter China’s influence

(Central News Agency, Wellington, 1st - Comprehensive Foreign Reports) The governments of New Zealand and the United States announced today that the two countries will jointly fund a major upgrade of a World War II-era atoll port in the Cook Islands. This is the latest move by Western nations to strengthen ties in the Pacific region to counter China's expanding influence.

According to Reuters, the two countries issued this joint statement during the Pacific Islands Forum held in Palau. The U.S. is expected to contribute $50 million (approximately NT$1.58 billion), and New Zealand will contribute NZ$17.5 million (approximately NT$3.16 billion). The project will be carried out by the Wellington authorities in coordination with the Cook Islands and the United States.

The statement indicated that the project will upgrade port facilities on Penrhyn Atoll, enhance vessel docking safety, improve accessibility to various services, and strengthen transportation and economic connectivity in the northern region of the Cook Islands.

U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau noted that the port and airstrip on Penrhyn Atoll were originally built by the U.S. more than 80 years ago. During World War II, the airfield was used to transport personnel and supplies and to support transiting military aircraft.

"Through transformative infrastructure initiatives like this, we are making the United States and our partners safer, stronger, and more prosperous," Landau said in the statement, noting that the project follows a critical minerals framework agreement signed with the Cook Islands earlier this year.

Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown stated that the port project embodies economic resilience and will help promote the development of emerging industries such as seabed mineral extraction and enhanced fishing operations in the future.