Latest news with #China-NewZealand
Daily Express
06-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Express
China tries to block West Philippine Sea documentary
China tries to block West Philippine Sea documentary MANILA: The tensions between Manila and Beijing over the West Philippine Sea continue to brew after China asked a New Zealand documentary festival to refrain from screening a film about the flashpoint waters. The documentary, 'Food Delivery: Fresh from the West Philippine Sea', won the Tides of Change Award in New Zealand's Doc Edge Festival. Advertisement The documentary focused on the work of Filipino fisherfolk and coast guard in the West Philippine Sea. In the name of transparency, Doc Edge posted China's appeal to them. The Consulate-General of People's Republic of China in Auckland said that the film festival could 'mislead' the public by showing the movie. SPONSORED CONTENT 'We hope that you will act in the interest of public and China-New Zealand relations accountability by refraining from screening this documentary,' China said. However, Doc Edge said that it would remain independent. Advertisement 'Doc Edge stands by our Kaupapa and the festival's independence and curatorial freedom,' they said. Following news of China's request, Philippine officials declared their support for the film, saying that it asserted the Philippines' rightful claim on the flashpoint waters. Advertisement The Philippine Coast Guard's (PCG) spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea has condemned this move from China, calling it intimidation. PCG Commodore Jay Tarriela said that China is continuing to assert its 'authoritarian influence'. 'This isn't just a cinematic endeavour—it's a bold exposé that shines a spotlight on a critical geopolitical flashpoint, revealing the stark realities faced by those on the front lines of this dispute,' Tarriela said in a social media post. 'China's response? A predictable threat and pressure aimed at burying the truth before it can reach a global audience. However, this documentary film, along with New Zealand's refusal to back down, threatens to dismantle the carefully constructed narrative that China has peddled to legitimise its overreach,' he added. The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said that they stood by the filmmakers to help defend truth and sovereignty. 'The AFP supports efforts that shed light on the realities faced by Filipino fisherfolk and maritime defenders in the West Philippine Sea,' the AFP said. Directed by Baby Ruth Villarama, Doc Edge called the documentary 'a banned film that must be seen.' In March, 'Food Delivery: Fresh from the West Philippine Sea' was removed from the PureGold CinePanalo Film Festival due to alleged 'external factors.' Months later, the documentary film won big at Doc Edge, which is an Oscar-qualifying film festival. This means that the documentary film may be considered for an Academy Award. China has continuously encroached upon Philippine territory throughout the years, despite a 2016 ruling from the Permanent Court of Arbitration that quashed China's nine-dash line claim. The documentary tells the stories of local fishermen, the national Coast Guard, and the Navy as they work in the South China Sea – with a particular focus on the area around the Scarborough Shoal. Contained within the Philippines' Exclusive Economic Zone, China's had de-facto control of it since 2012 and has refused to accept an international ruling that said its claim over almost the entirety of the South China Sea has no legal basis. University of Otago senior lecturer in politics Nicholas Khoo said there is 'absolutely no ambiguity' and the Scarborough Shoal is 'Filipino territory'. 'The challenge is that China doesn't respect the Filipino position, nor does it respect the international legal issue that is at stake here.' He said the situation 'underlines the importance of New Zealand standing up for the international legal order' and for it to continue to 'reassert our interest in freedom of navigation', adding that 'there should not be an aggressive use of force to attempt to solve issues'.
Newsroom
21-06-2025
- Politics
- Newsroom
PM appeals to China's ego in the pursuit of peace and order
Analysis: The Prime Minister has singled out the Pacific, the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea as tension points during his meetings with his Chinese counterpart in Beijing. And when pushed, he all-but confirmed he also raised China's live-firing exercises in the Tasman Sea in February – something he's previously said 'alarmed' New Zealanders. But in contrast to what NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte says, Luxon pushed back against the idea of a 'China threat', saying he did not believe China was creating a fearsome foursome with Iran, Russia and North Korea. 'We haven't seen any evidence of a wholesale force from those four countries coming together against the West in that way. And so that might be a difference of opinion, but that's very much how we put it.' In Beijing on Friday, Luxon engaged in a series of leader meetings at the historic Great Hall of the People, including with President Xi Jinping, as well as his Chinese counterpart Premier Li Qiang. He came away from those meetings saying the China-New Zealand relationship was in 'good heart'. Ahead of his meeting with Li, Luxon received an official welcome, with the full military pomp and ceremony – just hours ahead of flying to Europe to spend time with New Zealand's security partners at the NATO summit. In the Luxon-Xi meeting, neither side skirted around the edges, directly addressing the fact that the relationship had been a rocky one. 'More than 50 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties to China, New Zealand relationship has experienced many ups and downs, but we have always respected each other and worked together,' Xi said in his opening remarks ahead of his closed-door meeting with Luxon. The Prime Minister responded in the same way, with a directness that was respectful and predictable – exactly the type of communication the New Zealand side said it was striving for in its relationship with China. The Chinese and New Zealand teams at the formal leaders' meeting. Photo: Pool In what seemed to be an attempt at positive manifestation, Luxon appealed to China's view of itself as a predictable, constructive player at a time of global turmoil. 'We are meeting at a time of increasing global uncertainty and strain, and the world looks to China as a major global power to play a constructive role in addressing many of the challenges that are facing us all,' Luxon said. In this context, ongoing discussions with China were 'more important than ever before – and we value it highly'. 'Stability in our region and our deep and abiding support for the rules-based system are fundamental to New Zealand's interests … our long-standing connections and cooperation supports us to continue our positive, constructive, open and comprehensive discussions, as partners should do.' While Luxon did not mention the US, China already sees itself as the antithesis to Donald Trump's chaos. Playing to that ego in the hope of maintaining peace in the region (and the globe) couldn't hurt. 'As a small country, you have to acknowledge we're not a medium power, not a large power, right? So I have to find ways to influence what I believe in and what we believe in in New Zealand – which is a set of values – and actually put voice to those values and articulate them well,' Luxon said following the bilateral. In return, Li said that Xi had 'chartered the direction for the next phase' of the relationship, while also saying that New Zealand should place greater emphasis on cooperation. 'In these turbulent times, the fundamental interests of both countries call for the relationship to be defined and underpinned by cooperation, rather than anything else,' Chinese Ambassador to New Zealand Wang Xiaolong said. The meetings took place against the back-drop of heightened tensions in the Indo-Pacific Region. Following China's live-firing combat exercises in the Tasman in February, China has said it planned for the normalisation of deployment of the naval forces of the People's Liberation Army into the South Pacific. Meanwhile, the day before the meetings, AFP reported that a tranche of classified government briefing notes showed deep concern within the New Zealand government in the wake of the surprise intercontinental ballistic missile launch off the coast of Tahiti last year, which China shrugged off as 'routine.' In briefing documents provided to Foreign Minister Winston Peters, officials called the missile launch a 'significant and concerning development'. On the flip side, China has consistently hit back at New Zealand's indication of joining Aukus Pillar II, warning against joining 'small circles', and stoking a regional arms race. This was another topic Luxon wouldn't be drawn on following his day of meetings. China has also pushed back at New Zealand's retaliatory action against the Cook Islands after Prime Minister Mark Brown signed a strategic deal with Beijing, without consulting New Zealand. Luxon refused to confirm whether the Cook Islands issue was raised in his meetings with Xi and Li, but said he raised the importance of respecting the Pacific Islands Forum as the way to advance development in the Pacific. It seemed to be a tight-lipped Luxon way of acknowledging the under-lying issue with China's role in the Cook Islands saga, without disclosing the specifics of what was said in the room. During a 25-minute press conference at the conclusion of Luxon's three-day trip that had covered Shanghai and Beijing, the Prime Minister went out of his way to not divulge any further information about the diplomatic discussions, beyond what was included in his press release and a joint statement. 'We need to respect that they are private diplomatic conversations,' he said. 'What I can reassure you is that I raise issues of common interest; I raise issues of difference. We had a very fulsome conversation. We discussed everything we needed to discuss.' While it was expected for some topics to remain in the room, Luxon joined the tradition of New Zealand prime ministers to be particularly evasive following discussions with China's leaders. But he reassured Kiwis and security partners that – 'as you would expect in a mature relationship' – New Zealand canvassed the range of topics 'very openly, very candidly'. Despite the direct acknowledgement of the shared differences, there was more positive than negative in the remarks between the two countries. It seemed China still regarded New Zealand as 'the best in the west' and understood the importance of keeping New Zealand onside at a time of increasing global uncertainty. This marked Luxon's second meeting with Xi. In November, the president asked for a bilateral on the sidelines of the Apec summit in Peru. Xi referenced this first face-to-face, saying the two had a 'good discussion' last year, saying he was 'very impressed' with Luxon and appreciated his 'positive attitude'. Both sides played up the positives of the trading relationship, with Luxon noting the $39 billion in two-way trade and opportunities for further collaboration. But one trade area that remained a sticking point was China's bid to join the CPTPP. China has been angling to join the trade grouping since 2021, and ahead of this visit government officials made a point of saying they believed they had taken steps to meet all the Auckland Principles required for ascension into the partnership. Despite repeated questioning Luxon refused to say whether New Zealand supported China's bid to join the CPTPP, relying on the final 'principle' that required consensus from all 12 countries. But a joint statement issued by the two countries said New Zealand had 'noted' China's application. Chinese Premier Li Qiang with Christopher Luxon as he inspects an honour guard. Photo: Pool The Xi meeting, which was scheduled for 40 minutes, lasted about an hour. It came after a bilateral with Zhao Leji, the chairman of the country's top legislative body – akin to the Speaker of the House – and before a detailed bilateral with Luxon's counterpart Premier Li Qiang. Following the final meeting, Li and Luxon had a banquet dinner with the full delegation of officials and business leaders. For these crucial first meetings, the Prime Minister brought along Wellington's full diplomatic might. Ambassador to China Jonathan Austin, Foreign Secretary Bede Corry and division head Wendy Matthews all joined Luxon in the room. And for good measure, he took in former senior diplomat and head of DPMC Ben King, Customs chief executive Christine Stevenson, as well as foreign affairs advisers from both DPMC and PMO. While it was unlikely either side was surprised by the topics raised, the experienced officials in the room would have been listening carefully to the specific language used and how things were said. It was the nuance in China's statements and responses that would communicate the CCP's strength of feeling on specific issues. From Beijing, Luxon left his business delegation and the Airforce 757 and jumped on a commercial jet to Brussels late Friday night. The juxtaposition of the Beijing visit abutted against the Prime Minister's trip to NATO provided a fitting illustration of New Zealand's competing priorities, which Luxon said were inextricably linked.
The Advertiser
20-06-2025
- Business
- The Advertiser
NZ's Luxon praises Xi after rare Beijing bilateral
China President Xi Jinping has acknowledged at-times strained ties with New Zealand during a bilateral meeting with Chris Luxon in Beijing. Mr Luxon secured the meeting with the long-serving leader as part of what he hoped would be a trade-focused trip to China this week. Instead, tensions between his country and the Cook Islands has cast a geopolitical cloud over his meeting with Mr Xi. New Zealand has cut aid to Cook Islands after accusing it of breaching trust for inking secretly negotiated agreements with China that run contrary to a treaty that it must consult with Wellington over defence and security pacts. It's not clear if that was what was Mr Xi was referring to in his welcoming remarks - the only part of their bilateral meeting which was open to media - to Mr Luxon at the Great Hall of the People on Friday. "(In the) 50 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties, the China-New Zealand relationship has experienced many ups and downs," Mr Xi said, according to reports. "But we have always respected each other." On Thursday, China Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun suggested displeasure at New Zealand's response to growing Cook Islands-China ties. "China's co-operation with the Cook Islands does not target any third party, and should not be disrupted or restrained by any third party," he said. New Zealand, which has a formal alliance with Australia and strong defence links with the west, prides itself on maintaining a strong ties with China. Chinese leaders, including Mr Xi, have referred to a "relationship of firsts" with New Zealand. New Zealand was the first western nation to support it joining the WTO in 1997, to designate it a market economy in 2004, to secure a free-trade deal in 2008, and signing on to its Belt and Road infrastructure network in 2017. The bilateral meeting comes amid a furious debate on the direction of foreign policy in New Zealand. Previous leaders, including Helen Clark, argue Mr Luxon's government risks New Zealand's prosperity by aligning too close to the west and over-militarising the Pacific. Mr Luxon leaves such debate for his foreign minister, Winston Peters, who says Ms Clark suffers from "relevance deprivation syndrome" and should stay quiet. Mr Xi met Mr Luxon for the first time last year on the sidelines of the APEC summit, and on Friday, he offered praise for the Kiwi leader. "I remember that you said that you wish to further advance bilateral relations on the basis of our past partnership and friendship," he said. "I appreciate your positive attitude and I'm ready to work together with you for new progress." Mr Luxon also personally praised Mr Xi, president since 2013, for strengthening bilateral ties between the two countries. "The relationship has flourished under your leadership," Mr Luxon said, keeping his eyes on trade. "We have big ambitions to grow the New Zealand economy, and building trade between New Zealand and China is a really important contribution to that." Before his political engagements in Beijing, Mr Luxon spent three days in Shanghai hawking New Zealand's produce and services. His conservative government, which took office in late 2023, has a cornerstone ambition of doubling Kiwi exports within a decade, and China - as the destination for more than 20 per cent of exported Kiwi goods and services - will be essential to reaching that. China President Xi Jinping has acknowledged at-times strained ties with New Zealand during a bilateral meeting with Chris Luxon in Beijing. Mr Luxon secured the meeting with the long-serving leader as part of what he hoped would be a trade-focused trip to China this week. Instead, tensions between his country and the Cook Islands has cast a geopolitical cloud over his meeting with Mr Xi. New Zealand has cut aid to Cook Islands after accusing it of breaching trust for inking secretly negotiated agreements with China that run contrary to a treaty that it must consult with Wellington over defence and security pacts. It's not clear if that was what was Mr Xi was referring to in his welcoming remarks - the only part of their bilateral meeting which was open to media - to Mr Luxon at the Great Hall of the People on Friday. "(In the) 50 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties, the China-New Zealand relationship has experienced many ups and downs," Mr Xi said, according to reports. "But we have always respected each other." On Thursday, China Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun suggested displeasure at New Zealand's response to growing Cook Islands-China ties. "China's co-operation with the Cook Islands does not target any third party, and should not be disrupted or restrained by any third party," he said. New Zealand, which has a formal alliance with Australia and strong defence links with the west, prides itself on maintaining a strong ties with China. Chinese leaders, including Mr Xi, have referred to a "relationship of firsts" with New Zealand. New Zealand was the first western nation to support it joining the WTO in 1997, to designate it a market economy in 2004, to secure a free-trade deal in 2008, and signing on to its Belt and Road infrastructure network in 2017. The bilateral meeting comes amid a furious debate on the direction of foreign policy in New Zealand. Previous leaders, including Helen Clark, argue Mr Luxon's government risks New Zealand's prosperity by aligning too close to the west and over-militarising the Pacific. Mr Luxon leaves such debate for his foreign minister, Winston Peters, who says Ms Clark suffers from "relevance deprivation syndrome" and should stay quiet. Mr Xi met Mr Luxon for the first time last year on the sidelines of the APEC summit, and on Friday, he offered praise for the Kiwi leader. "I remember that you said that you wish to further advance bilateral relations on the basis of our past partnership and friendship," he said. "I appreciate your positive attitude and I'm ready to work together with you for new progress." Mr Luxon also personally praised Mr Xi, president since 2013, for strengthening bilateral ties between the two countries. "The relationship has flourished under your leadership," Mr Luxon said, keeping his eyes on trade. "We have big ambitions to grow the New Zealand economy, and building trade between New Zealand and China is a really important contribution to that." Before his political engagements in Beijing, Mr Luxon spent three days in Shanghai hawking New Zealand's produce and services. His conservative government, which took office in late 2023, has a cornerstone ambition of doubling Kiwi exports within a decade, and China - as the destination for more than 20 per cent of exported Kiwi goods and services - will be essential to reaching that. China President Xi Jinping has acknowledged at-times strained ties with New Zealand during a bilateral meeting with Chris Luxon in Beijing. Mr Luxon secured the meeting with the long-serving leader as part of what he hoped would be a trade-focused trip to China this week. Instead, tensions between his country and the Cook Islands has cast a geopolitical cloud over his meeting with Mr Xi. New Zealand has cut aid to Cook Islands after accusing it of breaching trust for inking secretly negotiated agreements with China that run contrary to a treaty that it must consult with Wellington over defence and security pacts. It's not clear if that was what was Mr Xi was referring to in his welcoming remarks - the only part of their bilateral meeting which was open to media - to Mr Luxon at the Great Hall of the People on Friday. "(In the) 50 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties, the China-New Zealand relationship has experienced many ups and downs," Mr Xi said, according to reports. "But we have always respected each other." On Thursday, China Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun suggested displeasure at New Zealand's response to growing Cook Islands-China ties. "China's co-operation with the Cook Islands does not target any third party, and should not be disrupted or restrained by any third party," he said. New Zealand, which has a formal alliance with Australia and strong defence links with the west, prides itself on maintaining a strong ties with China. Chinese leaders, including Mr Xi, have referred to a "relationship of firsts" with New Zealand. New Zealand was the first western nation to support it joining the WTO in 1997, to designate it a market economy in 2004, to secure a free-trade deal in 2008, and signing on to its Belt and Road infrastructure network in 2017. The bilateral meeting comes amid a furious debate on the direction of foreign policy in New Zealand. Previous leaders, including Helen Clark, argue Mr Luxon's government risks New Zealand's prosperity by aligning too close to the west and over-militarising the Pacific. Mr Luxon leaves such debate for his foreign minister, Winston Peters, who says Ms Clark suffers from "relevance deprivation syndrome" and should stay quiet. Mr Xi met Mr Luxon for the first time last year on the sidelines of the APEC summit, and on Friday, he offered praise for the Kiwi leader. "I remember that you said that you wish to further advance bilateral relations on the basis of our past partnership and friendship," he said. "I appreciate your positive attitude and I'm ready to work together with you for new progress." Mr Luxon also personally praised Mr Xi, president since 2013, for strengthening bilateral ties between the two countries. "The relationship has flourished under your leadership," Mr Luxon said, keeping his eyes on trade. "We have big ambitions to grow the New Zealand economy, and building trade between New Zealand and China is a really important contribution to that." Before his political engagements in Beijing, Mr Luxon spent three days in Shanghai hawking New Zealand's produce and services. His conservative government, which took office in late 2023, has a cornerstone ambition of doubling Kiwi exports within a decade, and China - as the destination for more than 20 per cent of exported Kiwi goods and services - will be essential to reaching that. China President Xi Jinping has acknowledged at-times strained ties with New Zealand during a bilateral meeting with Chris Luxon in Beijing. Mr Luxon secured the meeting with the long-serving leader as part of what he hoped would be a trade-focused trip to China this week. Instead, tensions between his country and the Cook Islands has cast a geopolitical cloud over his meeting with Mr Xi. New Zealand has cut aid to Cook Islands after accusing it of breaching trust for inking secretly negotiated agreements with China that run contrary to a treaty that it must consult with Wellington over defence and security pacts. It's not clear if that was what was Mr Xi was referring to in his welcoming remarks - the only part of their bilateral meeting which was open to media - to Mr Luxon at the Great Hall of the People on Friday. "(In the) 50 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties, the China-New Zealand relationship has experienced many ups and downs," Mr Xi said, according to reports. "But we have always respected each other." On Thursday, China Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun suggested displeasure at New Zealand's response to growing Cook Islands-China ties. "China's co-operation with the Cook Islands does not target any third party, and should not be disrupted or restrained by any third party," he said. New Zealand, which has a formal alliance with Australia and strong defence links with the west, prides itself on maintaining a strong ties with China. Chinese leaders, including Mr Xi, have referred to a "relationship of firsts" with New Zealand. New Zealand was the first western nation to support it joining the WTO in 1997, to designate it a market economy in 2004, to secure a free-trade deal in 2008, and signing on to its Belt and Road infrastructure network in 2017. The bilateral meeting comes amid a furious debate on the direction of foreign policy in New Zealand. Previous leaders, including Helen Clark, argue Mr Luxon's government risks New Zealand's prosperity by aligning too close to the west and over-militarising the Pacific. Mr Luxon leaves such debate for his foreign minister, Winston Peters, who says Ms Clark suffers from "relevance deprivation syndrome" and should stay quiet. Mr Xi met Mr Luxon for the first time last year on the sidelines of the APEC summit, and on Friday, he offered praise for the Kiwi leader. "I remember that you said that you wish to further advance bilateral relations on the basis of our past partnership and friendship," he said. "I appreciate your positive attitude and I'm ready to work together with you for new progress." Mr Luxon also personally praised Mr Xi, president since 2013, for strengthening bilateral ties between the two countries. "The relationship has flourished under your leadership," Mr Luxon said, keeping his eyes on trade. "We have big ambitions to grow the New Zealand economy, and building trade between New Zealand and China is a really important contribution to that." Before his political engagements in Beijing, Mr Luxon spent three days in Shanghai hawking New Zealand's produce and services. His conservative government, which took office in late 2023, has a cornerstone ambition of doubling Kiwi exports within a decade, and China - as the destination for more than 20 per cent of exported Kiwi goods and services - will be essential to reaching that.
RTHK
20-06-2025
- Business
- RTHK
Xi urges deeper NZ partnership amid Cook Islands row
Xi urges deeper NZ partnership amid Cook Islands row President Xi Jinping hosts New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Photo: Reuters President Xi Jinping met with New Zealand's Prime Minister Christopher Luxon in Beijing on Friday, calling on both sides to place greater emphasis on cooperation. For more than 50 years, since the establishment of diplomatic ties, China-New Zealand relations have long been at the forefront of Beijing's ties with Western developed countries, Xi said. As the China-New Zealand comprehensive strategic partnership enters its second decade, both sides should work to grow the partnership and bring more benefits to the two peoples, he said. Xi stressed that China and New Zealand should place greater emphasis on cooperation in bilateral relations, leverage their complementary strengths, deepen trade and investment cooperation, and explore potential for cooperation in scientific and technological innovation, climate change and infrastructure. The president encouraged both sides to strengthen exchanges in education, culture, youth and at non-governmental and sub-national levels. The meeting came as Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown condemned "patronising" neighbour New Zealand, which halted aid to the Pacific island nation after it signed a slew of deals with China. Major partner New Zealand has halted millions of dollars in aid to the Cook Islands, citing a "lack of consultation" over agreements struck with Beijing in February. Self-governing Cook Islands has a "free association" pact with New Zealand, its former colonial ruler which provides budgetary assistance as well as help on foreign affairs and defence. "The relationship between the Cook Islands and New Zealand is defined by partnership, not paternalism," Brown said in a speech to parliament. "Decisions to unilaterally pause core sector support reflect a patronising approach inconsistent with modern partnership." Brown said his nation's ties with China did not "compromise" its independence, adding that no military or defence arrangements had been made. "No debt commitments, no erosion of our national sovereignty," he told parliament. (Xinhua/AFP)
West Australian
20-06-2025
- Business
- West Australian
NZ's Luxon praises Xi after rare Beijing bilateral
China President Xi Jinping has acknowledged at-times strained ties with New Zealand during a bilateral meeting with Chris Luxon in Beijing. Mr Luxon secured the meeting with the long-serving leader as part of what he hoped would be a trade-focused trip to China this week. Instead, tensions between his country and the Cook Islands has cast a geopolitical cloud over his meeting with Mr Xi. New Zealand has cut aid to Cook Islands after accusing it of breaching trust for inking secretly negotiated agreements with China that run contrary to a treaty that it must consult with Wellington over defence and security pacts. It's not clear if that was what was Mr Xi was referring to in his welcoming remarks - the only part of their bilateral meeting which was open to media - to Mr Luxon at the Great Hall of the People on Friday. "(In the) 50 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties, the China-New Zealand relationship has experienced many ups and downs," Mr Xi said, according to reports. "But we have always respected each other." On Thursday, China Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun suggested displeasure at New Zealand's response to growing Cook Islands-China ties. "China's co-operation with the Cook Islands does not target any third party, and should not be disrupted or restrained by any third party," he said. New Zealand, which has a formal alliance with Australia and strong defence links with the west, prides itself on maintaining a strong ties with China. Chinese leaders, including Mr Xi, have referred to a "relationship of firsts" with New Zealand. New Zealand was the first western nation to support it joining the WTO in 1997, to designate it a market economy in 2004, to secure a free-trade deal in 2008, and signing on to its Belt and Road infrastructure network in 2017. The bilateral meeting comes amid a furious debate on the direction of foreign policy in New Zealand. Previous leaders, including Helen Clark, argue Mr Luxon's government risks New Zealand's prosperity by aligning too close to the west and over-militarising the Pacific. Mr Luxon leaves such debate for his foreign minister, Winston Peters, who says Ms Clark suffers from "relevance deprivation syndrome" and should stay quiet. Mr Xi met Mr Luxon for the first time last year on the sidelines of the APEC summit, and on Friday, he offered praise for the Kiwi leader. "I remember that you said that you wish to further advance bilateral relations on the basis of our past partnership and friendship," he said. "I appreciate your positive attitude and I'm ready to work together with you for new progress." Mr Luxon also personally praised Mr Xi, president since 2013, for strengthening bilateral ties between the two countries. "The relationship has flourished under your leadership," Mr Luxon said, keeping his eyes on trade. "We have big ambitions to grow the New Zealand economy, and building trade between New Zealand and China is a really important contribution to that." Before his political engagements in Beijing, Mr Luxon spent three days in Shanghai hawking New Zealand's produce and services. His conservative government, which took office in late 2023, has a cornerstone ambition of doubling Kiwi exports within a decade, and China - as the destination for more than 20 per cent of exported Kiwi goods and services - will be essential to reaching that.
