AVARUA: Hundreds of Cook Islanders gathered outside the parliament in Avarua to protest the government’s new strategic partnership with China and plans for a Cook Islands passport.

Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown said he would release soon the full details of a comprehensive strategic partnership deal signed between China and his country, which has raised concerns in New Zealand with which it has constitutional ties.

The South Pacific country of Cook Islands has unveiled the details of a deal with China to boost cooperation after the pact provoked a rare diplomatic clash with the nation’s chief benefactor, New Zealand,