Prime Minister Christopher Luxon welcomed Premier Li Qiang to Wellington on Thursday for the first high-level visit from the Chinese government since 2017. The head of government was here to mark the tenth anniversary of New Zealand China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership which was signed by John Key in 2014. However, the relationship between China and New Zealand has cooled considerably since Luxon’s predecessor inked the agreement which even included military cooperation. Growth in the value of goods exported to China stalled in 2021 and dropped 8% in the year ended March. Premier Li agreed that it was important to expand trade and invited NZ to be a guest of honor at the China Import Expo in Shanghai this year.
