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New Zealand PM, China's XI in Talks 06/20 06:13
BEIJING (AP) -- The prime minister of New Zealand stressed the mutual
benefits of trade with China in a meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping on
Friday, while acknowledging their disagreements on geopolitical issues.
Christopher Luxon, on his first visit to China since becoming prime minister
in late 2023, flew to Beijing after two days of meetings with officials and
business leaders in Shanghai, China's commercial center.
He wants to maintain healthy trade ties despite differences over regional
and global security issues and China's growing divide with the United States.
China is an important market for New Zealand food, dairy and other exports.
Xi told Luxon that the two countries should seek common ground while setting
aside their differences, Chinese state broadcaster CCTV said. He called for
deepening trade and investment cooperation and exploring cooperation in areas
such as climate.
Luxon raised the necessity of reducing tensions in the Indo-Pacific region,
according to a news release from his office. He also brought up the importance
of what he called "the key role" that China can play in helping to resolve
global challenges such as the war in Ukraine,
"In a complex world, open dialogue is more important than ever," Luxon said
in a post about the meeting on X.
His exchange with Xi came one day after revelations that New Zealand had
suspended millions of dollars in aid to the Cook Islands over concerns about
the latter's deepening ties with China.
China accounts for more than 20% of New Zealand's exports of goods and
services.
"Our trade and economic links are complementary and contribute to prosperity
in both countries," Luxon was quoted as saying in the news release.
New Zealand announced this week a limited easing of visa requirements for
Chinese visitors, a major source of tourism revenue.
Luxon is headed to Europe next, where he will have meetings in Brussels and
the Netherlands, his office said.
He will discuss trade, security and geopolitical issues with European Union
leaders. In the Netherlands, he is an invited guest to next week's NATO summit
in The Hague.
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