China's Premier Li Qiang Visits New Zealand for High-Level Talks with Prime Minister Luxon
Source: The DairyNews
China’s Premier Li Qiang was welcomed to New Zealand with a traditional ceremony in Wellington on Thursday, marking the highest-level Chinese visit to the country in seven years. Premier Li was greeted on the lawns of Government House by Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and the governor-general, participating in a traditional Indigenous Maori welcome before heading inside for meetings.
"Everyone knows that the international situation is undergoing complex and profound changes, but China and New Zealand attach great importance to developing bilateral relations," Li stated ahead of the meeting. "Our willingness to step up mutually beneficial cooperation is equally strong," he added, expressing his readiness for a frank exchange of views with Luxon.
New Zealand’s relationship with China has evolved since the last visit by a Chinese premier in 2017. This year, New Zealand has adopted a tougher stance, calling out Beijing for hacking its parliament and acknowledging the growing security threat China poses in the Pacific. Despite this, New Zealand has largely avoided the trade disputes with Beijing that have affected neighboring Australia.
Prime Minister Luxon emphasized the importance of candid discussions and ongoing dialogue to capitalize on opportunities and navigate areas of difficulty. "Our candid discussion and our ongoing frank dialogue is absolutely essential if we are to make the most of the opportunities that we have for our two countries and also to navigate the areas of difficulty," Luxon said, highlighting opportunities in trade, energy, and climate change.
Chinese-New Zealanders gathered at a central city hotel to greet Premier Li, holding banners supporting China’s relationship with New Zealand, waving Chinese flags, and beating drums. Others held banners protesting China's treatment of its citizens. "I’m just very excited to be here," said Ling Wang, who traveled two hours from Palmerston North to greet the premier, having made the same trip in 2017 when Premier Li Keqiang visited.
New Zealand’s relationship with China has evolved since the last visit by a Chinese premier in 2017. This year, New Zealand has adopted a tougher stance, calling out Beijing for hacking its parliament and acknowledging the growing security threat China poses in the Pacific. Despite this, New Zealand has largely avoided the trade disputes with Beijing that have affected neighboring Australia.
Prime Minister Luxon emphasized the importance of candid discussions and ongoing dialogue to capitalize on opportunities and navigate areas of difficulty. "Our candid discussion and our ongoing frank dialogue is absolutely essential if we are to make the most of the opportunities that we have for our two countries and also to navigate the areas of difficulty," Luxon said, highlighting opportunities in trade, energy, and climate change.
Chinese-New Zealanders gathered at a central city hotel to greet Premier Li, holding banners supporting China’s relationship with New Zealand, waving Chinese flags, and beating drums. Others held banners protesting China's treatment of its citizens. "I’m just very excited to be here," said Ling Wang, who traveled two hours from Palmerston North to greet the premier, having made the same trip in 2017 when Premier Li Keqiang visited.
