WELLINGTON: Chinese language Premier Li Qiang will go to New Zealand this week, Prime Minister Chris Luxon mentioned Monday (Jun 10), a uncommon go to anticipated to give attention to bolstering commerce whereas setting apart safety issues.
Li would be the first Chinese language premier to go to New Zealand since 2017, embarking on a visit that’s extensively tipped to additionally take him to Australia.
China is New Zealand’s largest export vacation spot and Wellington has been one among Beijing’s closest companions amongst Western democracies.
However relations have change into strained lately as China has seemed to increase its army and diplomatic attain throughout the Pacific.
“I stay up for warmly welcoming Premier Li in New Zealand,” Luxon mentioned in a press release.
“The premier’s go to is a invaluable alternative for exchanges on areas of cooperation between New Zealand and China.”
Luxon mentioned Li – China’s quantity two official – would arrive for a ceremonial welcome and official dinner “later this week”, earlier than a collection of bilateral conferences.
Li follows a string of high-powered Chinese language delegates who’ve made the journey to New Zealand in latest months.
International Minister Wang Yi held high-level talks throughout a go to to the capital Wellington earlier this yr.
