New Zealand, US to fund Cook Islands port upgrade

AI Summary

New Zealand and the United States will jointly fund a major upgrade to a World War Two-era port on a Cook Islands atoll. This initiative reflects Western efforts to strengthen influence in the Pacific amid growing Chinese presence in the region.

WELLINGTON, Sept 1 - New Zealand and the U.S. will jointly fund a major upgrade of a World War Two port on a Cook Islands' atoll, the three governments said on Tuesday, in a fresh sign of Western efforts to reinforce ties in a Pacific region that is increasingly being influenced by China.