China's Premier Li Qiang Highlights Growing Demand for New Zealand Dairy and Meat Products
Source: The DairyNews
China's Premier Li Qiang emphasized the rising demand in China for high-quality dairy, beef, and lamb products from New Zealand, Reuters reported. The statement was made on Friday during the second day of his visit to the Pacific island nation.
Li's trip, which includes a four-day stopover in Australia starting Saturday, aims to bolster trade and diplomatic ties with these key Pacific nations. China remains the largest trading partner for both New Zealand and Australia.
During his visit to the New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research in Auckland, Li engaged with government officials focused on promoting the farming, food, and beverage industries. The day also included meetings and a dinner with business leaders, academics, and diplomats.
Chinese state media reported that Li anticipated more bilateral business opportunities in energy, information technology, biomedicine, and other emerging industries. He reiterated China's commitment to upgrading its comprehensive strategic partnership with New Zealand, stressing the importance of enhancing cooperation in services trade and cross-border e-commerce.
This visit comes amid increasing trade tensions as Chinese firms have applied for an anti-dumping probe into pork imports from the European Union. This follows the EU's imposition of anti-subsidy duties on Chinese-made electric vehicles. Global food companies, including dairy producers and pork exporters, are on high alert for potential retaliatory tariffs from China.
On Thursday, New Zealand and China signed bilateral agreements on trade and climate, marking the highest-level Chinese visit to New Zealand in seven years.
In his discussions, Li promised that Beijing would further expand market access and create a market-oriented, internationalized business environment, encouraging entrepreneurs to seize these opportunities.
China views itself as integral to New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon's plan to double exports over the next decade. Currently, China is New Zealand's largest trading partner, with bilateral trade reaching nearly NZ$38 billion ($23.27 billion).
Despite New Zealand's eagerness to enhance trade ties with China, the country has also adopted a more critical stance over the past year, citing concerns over alleged Chinese hacking of its parliament and a perceived growing threat to Pacific security.
During his visit to the New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research in Auckland, Li engaged with government officials focused on promoting the farming, food, and beverage industries. The day also included meetings and a dinner with business leaders, academics, and diplomats.
Chinese state media reported that Li anticipated more bilateral business opportunities in energy, information technology, biomedicine, and other emerging industries. He reiterated China's commitment to upgrading its comprehensive strategic partnership with New Zealand, stressing the importance of enhancing cooperation in services trade and cross-border e-commerce.
This visit comes amid increasing trade tensions as Chinese firms have applied for an anti-dumping probe into pork imports from the European Union. This follows the EU's imposition of anti-subsidy duties on Chinese-made electric vehicles. Global food companies, including dairy producers and pork exporters, are on high alert for potential retaliatory tariffs from China.
On Thursday, New Zealand and China signed bilateral agreements on trade and climate, marking the highest-level Chinese visit to New Zealand in seven years.
In his discussions, Li promised that Beijing would further expand market access and create a market-oriented, internationalized business environment, encouraging entrepreneurs to seize these opportunities.
China views itself as integral to New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon's plan to double exports over the next decade. Currently, China is New Zealand's largest trading partner, with bilateral trade reaching nearly NZ$38 billion ($23.27 billion).
Despite New Zealand's eagerness to enhance trade ties with China, the country has also adopted a more critical stance over the past year, citing concerns over alleged Chinese hacking of its parliament and a perceived growing threat to Pacific security.
