Chinese Premier Li Qiang arrived in New Zealand’s northern hub of Auckland on Friday, raising hopes of new trade routes among the country’s business leaders.
Lee is on a six-day tour of New Zealand and Australia, the most senior official to visit any nation since his predecessor in 2017.
China accounts for 30% of New Zealand’s export earnings, according to World Bank figures, but there are fears this could evaporate if the world’s second-largest economy continues to slow.
The China Council of New Zealand — which represents some of the biggest exporters and most influential companies — was due to meet with Li on Friday night.
A council spokesman said they were delighted to “hear the Prime Minister’s views on potential new areas of development for the bilateral relationship”.
Mark Piper, the chief executive of a leading New Zealand government science institute, met Li earlier during a tour of a research facility.
Brazil’s Lula defends oil exploration near the Amazon River
“He was talking about more research collaborations and more exchanges of people, which we are really interested in,” he told AFP.
“He was very big on the partnership, the value that New Zealand can bring to China and that China can bring to New Zealand.”
New Zealand was one of the first developed nations to sign a comprehensive free trade agreement with Beijing.
Chinese consumers have a voracious appetite, particularly for New Zealand’s premium meat, dairy and wine.
Lee highlighted opportunities for trade, tourism and investment as he began his tour in New Zealand’s capital Wellington on Thursday.
However, he warned that emerging differences between the two nations “must not become a gap that hinders exchanges and cooperation between us.”
New Zealand, long seen as one of China’s closest partners in the region, has become increasingly bold in its criticism of Beijing’s role in the South Pacific.
Source: AFP