On the ground in the Cook Islands, controversial deal with China stirs debate

The agreement with China marks the first time the Cook Islands has struck a major deal with a country outside its traditional partners, former colonial ruler New Zealand and Australia. Photograph: @ Didier Marti/Getty Images

Standing under the shade of trees outside the Cook Islands parliament this week, Fe’ena Syme-Buchanan questioned a controversial deal signed with China that has sparked concern across the Pacific country.

The photographer from Rarotonga feels mixed emotions about the agreement prime minister Mark Brown struck with Beijing last week, describing it as a “double-edged sword”.