China, New Zealand to upgrade comprehensive partnership – statement issued
Chinese Premier Li Qiang met with New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon on Thursday in Wellington. After their meeting, Luxon and Li announced new agreements on trade, environmental and other issues.
China is New Zealand biggest trading partner, with tariffs were eliminated for over 98% of New Zealand goods exports to China, two-way trade worth 38 billion New Zealand dollars in 2023. Among others, New Zealand and China continue to enjoy extensive people exchanges, especially in education and tourism. Look at this recent article from Xinhua.
Chinese Premier Li Qiang met with New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon here on Thursday, agreeing to expand the scope of bilateral trade and investment and deepen personnel exchanges.
During their talks, Li said his visit coincides with the 10th anniversary of President Xi Jinping's official visit to New Zealand and the establishment of China-New Zealand comprehensive strategic partnership.
Over the past 10 years, no matter how the international landscape changes, China and New Zealand have consistently adhered to mutual respect, inclusiveness, cooperation, and joint development, promoting bilateral relations to achieve substantial progress, and creating multiple "firsts" in bilateral cooperation, he said.
China is willing to work with New Zealand to continue their traditional friendship, enhance the spirit of "striving to be the first," jointly stimulate growth, and make efforts to upgrade the China-New Zealand comprehensive strategic partnership to bring more benefits to their people, Li added.
Li said that the respective development of China and New Zealand is an opportunity for each other rather than a challenge, calling on the two countries to continue as partners of mutual respect, mutual trust and mutual benefit that learn from each other and foster unity and coordination.
China stands ready to work with New Zealand in continuously expanding trade, exploring cooperation potential in sectors including digital economy, green economy, new energy vehicles and creative industry, and jointly promoting regional economic cooperation, said the Chinese premier.
He also called on New Zealand and China to eliminate non-economic disruptions in their economic and trade relations to provide businesses with stable expectations and a favorable business environment, adding that China welcomes more investment from New Zealand enterprises.
China and New Zealand, both countries have long been enjoying trade with each other. Bilateral relations between New Zealand and China have been characterized by trade and economic co-operation.
In addition, in terms of New Zealand-China Free Trade Agreement Upgrade Protocol, the New Zealand-China trading relationship worth over $38 billion in two-way trade.
Today, Chinese Premier Li Qiang visit as a renewed opportunity for New Zealand’s business, there were huge opportunities for more trade due to China’s rapidly rising middle class, particularly agricultural products, and raw materials.
