Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Wellington for meetings

Monday, 18 March 2024

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has told Prime Minister Christopher Luxon the New Zealand-China relationship is a “force for stability” in a turbulent world.

Wang arrived at Parliament on Monday afternoon for meetings with both Luxon and Foreign Minister Winston Peters, his first visit to New Zealand since 2017.

At the opening of a meeting with Luxon, Wang said, through a translator, he appreciated the “positive statements” about the NZ-China relationship, which he would convey to Chinese President Xi Jinping

Luxon had “led the New Zealand Government in adopting a rational, pragmatic, and a positive policy towards China”, he said.

“The international and regional situation is changing and turbulent, and the relationship between China and New Zealand is a force for stability in this world.”

Luxon told Wang his Government wanted to “build our relationships with renewed energy and renewed urgency to make sure that we continue to grow our prosperity and also our security”, and working with China was “really critical to us in building our relationships out across the region”.

“We look forward to building the relationship with you, but also with President Xi and Premier Li [Qiang] as well through the course of the year, and the years ahead.”

The cordial tone of the meetings between Wang and Luxon, and Peters, belied the high-stakes the Government faces in managing the relationship with China, New Zealand’s largest trading partner.

The relationship has become more strained in recent years as tensions between Beijing and New Zealand’s partners, particularly Australia, have risen. Particularly alarming to New Zealand officials has been China’s punishment of Australia through trade tariffs, increasing interference in New Zealand’s democracy, and Beijing’s increasing forays into the Pacific, where it has sought to sign security agreements with Pacific nations.

The Government has also become more outspoken about China’s actions, joining others in criticising the treatment of the Uyghur Muslim minority, the diminishing of democratic rights in Hong Kong, and aggressive actions toward Taiwan and Southeast Asian countries that dispute China’s claim to territory in the South China Sea.

China has condemned such commentary on its “internal matters”, and last month criticised the New Zealand Government for its interest in possibly participating in technology-sharing aspects of the nuclear-powered submarine Aukus pact between Australia, the United Kingdom, and United States.

None of this was mentioned in remarks made before meetings on Monday.

Peters, sitting down with Wang in Parliament’s Grand Hall, welcomed the Chinese foreign minister to “the heart of New Zealand’s democracy”.

'I was pleased to have the opportunity to visit China again in 2018, where you hosted me as foreign minister, and I'm delighted to return the privilege today.

“This meeting builds on the foundations of many previous engagements, and there have been some significant developments since we last met, not least a global pandemic that impacted, alas, both of our countries.”

He said the meeting was a “valuable opportunity to reflect on the challenges and opportunities that are now before us”.

“We appreciate the opportunity to cooperate with China bilaterally and to work together on regional and national issues of importance to both of our countries.”

According to a translation of Wang’s remarks in response, the foreign minister said he appreciated Peters’ positive attitude towards dialogue and - regardless of international developments - the China-New Zealand relationship had a healthy momentum.

Wang said he wanted to work with the National-coalition Government, and in the face of a chaotic international situation he wanted to strengthen strategic communication with New Zealand on issues of “common concern”.

Wang and Peters were to have dinner on Monday evening, before Wang travelled onwards to Australia.