Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing this week where they discussed their strong relationships with Pacific countries, including New Zealand's special constitutional relationships with its Realm partners particularly the Cook Islands.

According to a statement from Peters office, he was concluding a substantive visit to China over the past two days, where he was pleased to re-connect with Foreign Minister Wang.

“We have known each other for many years, and today we continued our wide-ranging and constructive dialogue,” Peters had said. 

The Ministers discussed key issues confronting both countries, as well as recent developments, including the Chinese naval deployment to the Tasman Sea. 

“We also discussed our strong relationships with Pacific countries, including New Zealand's special constitutional relationships with its Realm partners, in particular the Cook Islands,” Peters says.

 “The New Zealand-China relationship is very significant,” Mr Peters says, “China is New Zealand’s largest trading partner, and our long-standing relationship has been shaped over many years by strong connections between our people.

“Befitting this comprehensive relationship, we discussed ongoing bilateral cooperation, a broad range of regional and global issues, as well as areas where we have differences.”

“We also made clear New Zealand's support for Pacific priorities and institutions, and Pacific-led responses to address the issues we face in our region, including on defence and security issues.”

 In Parliament on Tuesday, Prime Minister Mark Brown criticised Peters for calling for a “reset” in the Cook Islands, New Zealand relationship without prior discussion.

“I now hear that the Foreign Minister of NZ wants a reset of our relationship,” Brown said.

“I’m concerned that he has made the announcement without talking to me or any of our officials at all.”

“We are being spoken to rather than being spoken with on a matter as important and fundamental as our free association relationship.”

Brown had said: “We are a partner in the realm of New Zealand…we are not a child.”

“My job is not to fly the NZ flag but to fly my own country’s flag,” he said.

Brown insisted that Cook Islands’ diplomatic moves, including the controversial China partnership, were in line with the country’s longstanding strategy of strengthening its economic and political independence. Peters’ had also acknowledged the discussion in Cook Islands Parliament but offered no further comment.