Cook Islands Finance has completed a productive series of engagements in China, further strengthening the Cook Islands’ reputation as a trusted and experienced jurisdiction for asset protection and international wealth structuring.

The programme included both participation in the Asia Outbound Summit and private, invitation-only events for Chinese lawyers, family office advisors, and estate-planning specialists.

Cook Islands Finance marked its second year of participation at the Asia Outbound Summit in Shanghai. The Summit provided a valuable platform to showcase the Cook Islands’ strengths in asset protection and international wealth structuring, deepen relationships with key intermediaries, and highlight the jurisdiction’s commitment to supporting the evolving needs of Asian high-net-worth families.

At the event, Matthew Smith, Director: Business Development of Southpac Group, delivered a keynote presentation outlining the strengths of the Cook Islands as an asset protection jurisdiction. He spoke to the jurisdiction’s strong legal foundations, court-tested trust legislation, and relevance for Asian families seeking long-term security and flexibility.

Serving as a panellist, Terai Boaza, Legal Counsel at Trustees & Fiduciaries Cook Islands, offered practical insight into wealth-planning and structuring from the perspective of a Cook Islands trustee business, reflecting on client needs and the value of close collaboration with regional advisors.

The team also participated in an invitation-only session hosted by members of a Shanghai private sector network – which proved to be one of the most engaging components of the programme. The event was organised by Shanghai-based contact and former Cook Islands resident Ms Lily Hu. In attendance was relevant and informed audience who raised real-world client scenarios, family-business continuity, cross-border wealth transfers, and the use of Cook Islands structures within broader planning strategies.

The quality of the Q&A session underscored the sophistication of the Chinese advisory market and the increasing interest in alternative offshore solutions.

Reflecting on these discussions, Matthew Smith remarked:
“We’ve had a lot of really insightful conversations around the needs of wealthy families and high net worth individuals in China and in this region, and how we as a trust industry in the Cook Islands can help to meet those needs.”

“Do we have the right products? Do we have the right approach? Do we have the right understanding? We have a fantastic jurisdiction with fantastic trust products that we all know [of]. But it’s about how we reach out to people in other countries that we maybe have less familiarity with working with.”

“There are some areas where I think we can really focus on with a bit of research to try and unlock some of the potential. In China, I think there is an enormous amount of potential in this market, for our industry and for our jurisdiction.”

Terai Boaza reinforced the importance of being present in-market:
“We prefer, as a trustee business, to work with professionals who are in the jurisdiction. They have better relationship with the clients, direct clients, and can overcome the language barriers. So being here actually helps to network with these different professionals and building from there.”

“Visibility is a very important factor in building relationships with international clients. Making connections with professionals in this jurisdiction is one of our greatest objectives.”

Tony Fe’ao, CEO of Cook Islands Finance, noted the positive response from advisors when acknowledging recent developments in Cook Islands–China relations:

“The discussions in China were strengthened by the recent signing of the Action Plan for the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the Cook Islands and the People’s Republic of China.  This partnership underscored our message to Chinese advisors that the Cook Islands is a trusted, well-connected jurisdiction for global wealth and estate-planning solutions.”

“The connections, conversations, and insights gained in China reflect a clear trend: advisers across Asia are actively exploring credible, well-regulated and experienced jurisdictions outside of what they are already familiar with. For discerning advisors, the Cook Islands ticks all these boxes – and offers additional advantages, including the global gold standard in asset-protection trusts.”

Cook Islands Finance also travelled to Beijing for an event hosted by Pacific Trade & Invest (PTI) China with Trade Commissioner Mr Mona Mato.

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