Prime Minister Mark Brown and the Cook Islands delegation met with several institutes, including Shanghai Jiao Tong University, First Institute of Oceanography and The National Deep Sea Centre, to discuss about seabed mining. Photo: Cook Islands Government
Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority (SBMA) has been in "high-level" discussions on Prime Minister Mark Brown's trip to China, where he is set to sign a comprehensive strategic agreement on Friday.
A statement from SBMA said it discussed with several institutes, including Shanghai Jiao Tong University, First Institute of Oceanography and The National Deep Sea Centre, to advance "sustainable" seabed exploration.
"Shanghai Jiao Tong University's recent deep-water collector test highlighted the potential of working with young scientists and engineers in the multidisciplinary assessment of equipment operation and environmental monitoring in extreme environments," SBMA said.
The statement also said there were collaborative opportunities with First Institute of Oceanography and The National Deep Sea Centre.
The Cook Islands is currently exploring the possibility of deep sea mining.
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Brown, who is also the seabed minerals minister, has provided very limited details about his agreement he will sign with China but has said support for deep sea mining research is part of it.
In the statement Brown said: "I want to take a moment to reflect on what we have achieved so far and the exciting opportunities ahead for the Cook Islands.
"These conversations have opened the door to new areas of collaboration."
A deep sea mining research vessel in Rarotonga Photo: Caleb Fotheringham
Pacific political scientist Dr Iati Iati said most Pacific Island nations are looking for long term sustainable development policies and from the nations perspective, this can only be done by maximizing the use of their natural resources.
"China has the expertise and technology and infrastructure to do this, and hence, the Cook Islands are really just putting two things together - long term development aspirations with a partner that has the capacity to achieve that."
Mining company CIC Ocean Research told RNZ Pacific that Brown's trip does not involve her company.
"As CIC we are totally separate from government," CIC's country manager Shona Lynch said.
"What he does in the government space, that is his mandate; he has to look after the whole country, that's his job.
"And getting someone involved? Maybe there are areas that China could help. I am not sure."
