BEIJING (Reuters) – China and New Zealand should promote trade and investment, Chinese president Xi Jinping told New Zealand’s Prime Minister Chris Hipkins, who led a trade delegation to China seeking more access for his country’s primary exports and emerging sectors like gaming.
Although China is New Zealand’s largest trading partner, calls have been growing within the island country for it to reduce its reliance on Beijing as geopolitical tensions grow, and an increasing number of small firms are seeking opportunities in markets like Australia and North America.
At a meeting with Hipkins, Xi said both countries should promote the “liberalisation and facilitation” of trade and investment, and provide a better business environment for each other’s enterprises to invest and operate in their countries.
Xi added that both countries should strengthen cooperation in areas including education, culture and tourism.
Unlike its neighbour Australia or its other “Five Eyes” security partners, Wellington’s interactions with Beijing have remained largely cordial. The two sides upgraded their free trade pact last year.
Noting New Zealand’s independent foreign policy, Xi said China had always treated New Zealand as a “friend and partner” and was ready to work with the country to promote a steady and sustained comprehensive strategic partnership.
“We will continue to see each other as partners instead of rivals,” Xi was quoted as saying by Chinese state broadcaster CCTV.
In recent years, however, New Zealand’s tone on issues ranging from human rights, the international rules based order and potential militarisation of the Pacific has toughened, amid pressure from its Western allies which have become increasingly hawkish towards China.
Xi said both countries could maintain communications and work together to help Pacific Island countries thrive.
(Reporting by Beijing newsroom; Editing by Mark Potter)
