Li wanted to expand practical co-operation and people-to-people exchanges. She cited former Labour Prime Minister Norman Kirk in recognising China in 1972 and former Labour Prime Minister Helen Clark signing a free trade agreement in 2008. "The New Zealand Labour Party in particular is really proud of the record of engagement that we have with China." Ambassador Clare Fearnley invited the Prime Minister to unveil a plaque. The new embassy was commissioned in 2014 by then Prime Minister John Key.

Source: Otago Daily Times April 01, 2019 04:30 UTC