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

At the invitation of China, Prime Minister Mark Brown of the Cook Islands will attend the Closing Ceremony ... China has ...

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

A copy of the deal -- which is likely to irk close partner and former colonial ruler New Zealand -- showed it covers working together in the "exploration and research of seabed mineral resources".

The Cook Islands has announced five-year agreement with China for the exploration of seabed minerals. New Zealand has urged ...

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. A copy of the deal – which ...

A joint committee would oversee the partnership, which also includes seabed minerals-related training and technology transfer, logistics support, and deep-sea ecosystems research. The Cook Islands ...

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