The Cook Islands prime minister Mark Brown will take part in scheduled talks with China's foreign minister Wang Yi this week.
China's foreign minister is currently touring the Pacific as Beijing seeks a region-wide deal with nearly a dozen nations.
New Zealand's prime minister says the Pacific Islands Forum will be "critical" to confronting the latest developments in the region.
Constitutional specialist Dr Donald Stevens QC told Midday Report the Cook Islands are a self-governing entity within, and part of, the realm of New Zealand.
New Zealand was responsible for the Cooks' foreign affairs and defence, Dr Stevens said.
RNZ Pacific's Moera Tuilaepa-Taylor spoke to Māni Dunlop.
