China ‘committed to working’ with New Zealand to renew ‘longstanding friendship’: Premier Li

By Alperen Aktas

ISTANBUL (AA) - China is "committed to working" with New Zealand to renew the "longstanding friendship," Premier Li said Thursday as he arrived in Wellington on the first leg of his three-nation tour.

He was hosted by Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and the duo addressed a news conference after the meeting.

"We agreed that it's important to expand cooperation on trade and investment. China is ready to be a part of New Zealand's endeavor to double the value of exports in the next decade," Li said, according to Radio New Zealand.

Luxon, for his part, said he raised a number of issues that were "important to New Zealand's interests."

"This includes issues on which our perspectives differ. China and New Zealand have different political systems and as with all our long-standing relationships it is natural that we will raise our differences with China consistently," he said.

On challenging economic outlook and the regional and international issues, Luxon said: "China's views and actions on these matters are important and more rather than less direct engagement of China is needed on these issues."

He said his discussions with Li also included human rights issues in Xinjiang province, Pacific issues, the South China Sea as well as Taiwan.

The Kiwi prime minister said he conveyed the government's desire to see a "de-escalation so that there's no miscalculation or accident that would threaten the stability in the region."

On the AUKUS nuclear-powered submarine pact between the UK, the US and Australia, Luxon said: "We canvassed AUKUS and they (China) raised their concerns and we raised a number of concerns and differences that we have as well, that's the nature of a good long-standing relationship, that we should be able to do that respectfully and predictably."

This year marks the 10th anniversary of President Xi Jinping's state visit to New Zealand and the establishment of the China-New Zealand comprehensive strategic partnership.

Late Li Keqiang was the last Chinese premier to visit New Zealand in 2017.

The current visit aims to strengthen traditional friendship, promote mutually beneficial cooperation, and support common development.

Beijing, meanwhile, has announced a visa-free policy for New Zealand.

The two sides established diplomatic relations in December 1972, and the bilateral trade volume has so far reached $40 billion.

Besides Wellington, Li will visit the northern city of Auckland.

Li will also pay official visits to Australia and Malaysia, and will co-chair the ninth China-Australia Annual Leaders' Meeting with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Canberra.