Cook Islands will receive a “one off grant” of approximately $4 million (US$2.29 million) from China, following the signing of the Joint Action Plan for the 2025-2030 Comprehensive Strategic Partnership last week. Prime Minister Mark Brown, returning from his state visit to China with his delegation, also told the media that “there has been no projects we’ve signed up to at this stage”. However, Brown said that “in the coming months, in the coming years, there may be some projects that they can formalise”. “In terms of grant funding, there has been a grant allocation provided to the Cook Islands for potential projects that we may look at in the future and this amounts to about $4 million (US$2.29 million),” Brown said in response to a question from Cook Islands News. “Our ministries will be looking carefully at where they would look to allocate that funding as part of projects or initiatives that we might want to promote. And at this stage, it’s looking like primarily in the area of renewable energies.” Brown said the comprehensive strategic partnership agreement was an overarching framework forengagement. Cook Islanders march in Avarua against Mark Brown government Over 400 people have taken to the streets to protest the Cook Islands Prime Minister’s recent decisions, which have led to a diplomatic spat with New Zealand. The protest, led by Opposition MP and Cook Islands United Party leader Teariki Heather, is taking place outside the Cook Islands parliament in Avarua – a day after Brown returned from China. Protesters have come out with placards, stating “Stay connected with New Zealand”. Some government ministers are standing outside parliament, including Foreign Minister Tingika Elikana. Heather said he is present at the rally to show how much Cook Islanders care about the relationship with New Zealand and value the New Zealand passport. He has apologised to the New Zealand government on behalf of the Cook Islands government. More than 400 people took to the streets a day after the prime minister returned from China, where hesigned a strategic partnership deal. Leader of the opposition and Democratic Party leader Tina Browne says she wanted the local passport tobe off the table “forever and ever”. “We have no problem with our government going and seeking assistance,” she said. “We do have a problem when it is risking our sovereignty, risking our relationship with New Zealand,” Browne said.