China to expand ties with New Zealand

During a meeting with Prime Minister Christopher Lacson, Asia's top diplomat advocated increasing exchanges within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative.

He also conveyed warm greetings from the Chinese leaders and emphasized the historical significance of the relations between China and New Zealand.

He highlighted the tenth anniversary of the establishment of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries as a significant milestone.

Wang Yi emphasized the commitment to strengthen strategic cooperation with New Zealand in various key sectors such as education, technological innovation, infrastructure and export expansion.

“China is ready to strengthen solidarity and cooperation with New Zealand to oppose Cold War thinking, unilateralism and protectionism, resist changing the course of history, and maintain the correct direction of human progress,” he stressed.

In response, Luxon reiterated the importance of bilateral relations, expressed commitment to the one-China policy and expressed willingness to further strengthen high-level exchanges in economy, trade, culture, education, tourism, agriculture and technology.

In addition to this meeting, Wang Yi held talks with his counterpart Winston Peters and exchanged with the new head of commerce.

Now China's foreign minister is traveling to Australia from a standoff between the two countries, after diplomatic and trade disagreements involving the Asian giant's tariffs on wine and other goods from the Oceanian nation.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told a televised press conference that he looked forward to meeting Wang Yi during his visit to Canberra.

Despite this approach, China has on several occasions criticized Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States for their military cooperation in the Trilateral Defense Partnership and their Cold War mentality known as Aukus.

oda/idm