Written question asked by Andrew Rosindell (Conservative) on Monday, 17 March 2025, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 19 March 2025. It was answered by Catherine West (Labour) on Tuesday, 25 March 2025 on behalf of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

China: Cook Islands

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 10 March 2025 to Question 34796 on China: Cook Islands, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of that strategic agreement on (a) his policies and (b) the policies of the Overseas Territories in the Indo-Pacific.

Answer: The UK Government will continue its policy of working to maintain a free, secure and open Indo-Pacific where international norms are respected. As part of the UK Government's constitutional responsibility for the defence, external relations and internal security of the British Overseas Territories, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has considered the impact of the strategic agreement on the one Territory in the Indo-Pacific (Pitcairn). This constitutional responsibility is different from that between New Zealand and the Cook Islands. As the UK retains the responsibility for external relations of the British Overseas Territories, the Territories are not able to enter into bilateral international treaties.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 38547
Session: 2024-26
Related items: China: Cook Islands
Monday, 10 March 2025
Written questions
House of Commons; China: Cook Islands
Monday, 28 April 2025
Written questions
House of Commons
Subjects: China Foreign relations New Zealand Cook Islands
Link: View this Written question on www.parliament.uk