Beijing (TDI): Chinese President Xi Jinping and New Zealand’s Prime Minister Christopher Luxon had a meeting in Beijing, on Friday, to discuss enhancing bilateral trade relations and regional cooperation. The meeting was Luxon’s inaugural visit to China since he assumed office in November 2023.
Both leaders recognized mutual gains in trade, where China receives more than 20% of New Zealand’s exports.
Prime Minister Luxon voiced concerns about heightened tensions in the Indo-Pacific and the importance of his country being open to regional engagement and supporting Pacific-led initiatives. The recent tensions in Wellington over China’s deepening ties with the Cook Islands also came under discussion.
Constructive meeting with President Xi at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing today.
We discussed the depth of the NZ-China relationship – from trade and people-to-people ties to our shared global responsibilities.
In a complex world, open dialogue is more important than… pic.twitter.com/FxyqauWpH7
— Christopher Luxon (@chrisluxonmp) June 20, 2025
“We talked about the depth of New Zealand-China relations, people-to-people and trade ties as well as our shared global responsibilities,” Luxon wrote on X. “Our economic and trade links are complementary and bring prosperity to both countries,” he added, while also highlighting China’s possible role in solving global problems like the war in Ukraine.
“In today’s more complicated world, open discussion is more important than ever,” President Xi was quoted saying by the Chinese state media.Â
“There are no historical grievances or entangling interests between China and New Zealand,” he added, urging both sides to “respect each other and seek common ground.”
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The four-day visit, with stops in Shanghai and Beijing, ended with talks to boost education, travel exchanges, and New Zealand’s agricultural exports.
China Eastern Airlines is now scheduled to reopen extra flights to New Zealand in December. An agreement on the launch of a new 12-month trial visa waiver for tourists from China was also reached at.
Prime Minister Luxon’s next stop is Europe, to negotiate wider security and trade matters, including a visit to the upcoming NATO summit in The Hague.
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