China’s third most senior official and top legislator pledged “sincere” friendship with New Zealand and called for tighter economic links between the two countries during a four-day trip to the Pacific nation.
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Zhao Leji, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPC), wrapped up his trip to New Zealand on Saturday, the first in two decades by the head of China’s top legislative body.
The trip included a meeting with New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon in Auckland, where Zhao called on the two countries to “advance” trade and investment ties, particularly cooperation in areas such as green transformation, the digital economy, artificial intelligence and connectivity.
“It is hoped that China and New Zealand can deepen mutually beneficial cooperation [and] strengthen alignment of development strategies,” Zhao said, according to the Chinese foreign ministry.
He promised more opportunities for New Zealand businesses through Beijing’s next five-year plan, a development blueprint for 2026-2030.
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China has been New Zealand’s biggest trading partner for more than a decade and economic ties are warming.