New Zealand PM scores trade deals on China trip

New Zealand PM scores trade deals on China trip

New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins (L) hailed his meeting with Chinese Premier Li Qiang  as a reaffirmation of important economic connections' between the two sides
New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins (L) hailed his meeting with Chinese Premier Li Qiang as a reaffirmation of important economic connections' between the two sides. Photo: Jade GAO / POOL/AFP
Source: AFP

PAY ATTENTION: Enjoy reading our stories? Join YEN.com.gh's Telegram channel for more!

China and New Zealand on Wednesday signed a string of agreements designed to boost trade between the two countries, as their leaders met in Beijing for talks.

New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins is in China on a multi-day, multi-city mission to drum up business and help his nation exit an election-year recession.

After meeting Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday, Hipkins' charm offensive continued Wednesday, when he met Premier Li Qiang at the Great Hall of the People, greeted by a 48-strong band from the People's Liberation Army.

Dialling down any criticism over China's human rights abuses, tensions over Taiwan, and Beijing's tacit support for Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Hipkins hailed the meeting as a reaffirmation of "important economic connections" between the countries.

"Our trading relationship is worth over NZ$40 (US$24) billion annually," Hipkins said, stressing the need to "reaffirm the important economic connections we have with China".

Read also

Biden unveils election battle plan: 'Bidenomics'

Li for his part welcomed Hipkins warmly as "a young and promising politician" and thanked him for the visit "after less than half a year in office".

Agreements were signed on trade, agriculture, forestry, education, and science and innovation.

With an eye on criticism rumbling at home, Hipkins insisted that a "strong economic relationship" with China was "helping boost New Zealand's economic recovery".

New Zealand's economy slid into recession earlier this year, fuelled by a drop in exports and a slowdown in the country's all-important agriculture industry.

Wellington's Western allies have long been concerned about what they see as the New Zealand economy's overdependence on trade with China.

But with growth stalling and Hipkins facing a tough campaign to secure another term in October, such concerns have been put on the back burner.

Hipkins said "areas of difference, such as over human rights" were dealt with in a "respectful" way.

Read also

China calls West's economic de-risking a 'false proposition'

"I urged China to use its influence to encourage Russia to act consistently with its international obligations and cease its illegal war in Ukraine," he added.

New feature: Сheck out news that is picked for YOU ➡️ click on “Recommended for you” and enjoy!

Source: AFP

Authors:
AFP avatar

AFP AFP text, photo, graphic, audio or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium. AFP news material may not be stored in whole or in part in a computer or otherwise except for personal and non-commercial use. AFP will not be held liable for any delays, inaccuracies, errors or omissions in any AFP news material or in transmission or delivery of all or any part thereof or for any damages whatsoever. As a newswire service, AFP does not obtain releases from subjects, individuals, groups or entities contained in its photographs, videos, graphics or quoted in its texts. Further, no clearance is obtained from the owners of any trademarks or copyrighted materials whose marks and materials are included in AFP material. Therefore you will be solely responsible for obtaining any and all necessary releases from whatever individuals and/or entities necessary for any uses of AFP material.