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US and New Zealand commit $60 million to upgrade Cook Islands port

From Liberty Times · () Chinese

Translated from Chinese and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Official statement New plan
  • The United States and New Zealand will provide $50 million and $10 million respectively to upgrade a port at Penrhyn Atoll in the Cook Islands.
  • The announcement came during the Pacific Islands Forum as Western countries strengthen ties with Pacific island states amid concerns about China’s growing regional influence.
  • Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown said the port serves as a lifeline for the outer islands and that the upgrade will improve domestic shipping.

The United States and New Zealand have pledged a combined $60 million to upgrade port facilities at Penrhyn Atoll in the Cook Islands.

The two countries announced the funding in a joint statement during the Pacific Islands Forum. Washington will provide $50 million, while Wellington will contribute $10 million.

The project comes as China expands its military and economic influence in the Pacific, prompting Western countries to strengthen security ties and military cooperation with island states. US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau said the plan builds on a critical-minerals framework agreement signed by the United States and the Cook Islands in February.

Through transformative infrastructure initiatives like these, we will make the United States and its partners safer, stronger and more prosperous.

— Christopher LandauThe US deputy secretary of state described the port project as part of the US commitment to Pacific partners.

Landau described the funding as evidence of a strong US commitment to Pacific partners. He also recalled that the United States built a port and an airstrip at Penrhyn more than 80 years ago during the Second World War.

Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown called the Penrhyn port a lifeline for the outer islands. He said the upgrade would improve domestic shipping and travel between the islands.

The port at Penrhyn Atoll is a lifeline for the outer islands.

— Mark BrownThe Cook Islands prime minister explained the port’s importance to communities outside the main islands.
About this summary

Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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