Latest news with #BilateralRelations
RNZ News
12 hours ago
- Business
- RNZ News
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon holds talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Chinese President Xi Jinping shook hands in front of photographers. Photo: Office of the Prime Minister Prime Ministr Christopher Luxon has held talks with one of the world's most powerful people, Chinese President Xi Jinping, who began by acknowledging "ups and downs" in the bilateral relationship. The highly anticipated meeting took place on Friday afternoon (NZT) at the grand Great Hall of the People on the edge of Beijing's Tiananmen Square. As is custom, the two men shook hands in front of photographers before taking their seats on either side of a long table. In his brief introductory remarks, Xi said now was a time to build on the two countries' past achievements and "strive for new progress". "The China-New Zealand relationship has experienced many ups and downs, but we have always respected each other and worked together," he said, through a translator. Xi also acknowledged the NZ government's recent move to relax visa requirements for Chinese travellers coming from Australia. "This will facilitate people to people exchanges, and I appreciate it." Chinese President Xi Jinping during talks with Prime Minister Christopher Luxon on 20 June, 2025 (NZT). Photo: Office of the Prime Minister Xi said he had been "very impressed" by Luxon during their first meeting on the sidelines of APEC in November. "I remember that you said that you wish to further advance bilateral relations on the basis of our past partnership and friendship," he said. "I appreciate your positive attitude, and I'm ready to work together with you for new progress." In response, Luxon described the bilateral relationship as being "long-standing" and of "great consequence" to New Zealand. "The relationship has flourished under your leadership," Luxon said. "We have big ambitions to grow the New Zealand economy, and building trade between New Zealand and China is a really important contribution to that." New Zealand's dialogue with China was more important than ever before at a time of "increasing global uncertainty and strain", Luxon said. "The world looks to China as a major global power to play a constructive role in addressing many of the challenges that are facing us all. "Stability in our region and our deep and abiding support for the rules-based system are fundamental to New Zealand's interest. "Our long standing connections and cooperation supports us to continue our positive, constructive, open and comprehensive discussions, as partners should do," he said. Christopher Luxon during talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping on 20 June, 2025 (NZT). Photo: Office of the Prime Minister Media were then escorted from the room before the start of the formal engagement. Luxon is expected to take questions from media later this evening. He earlier met with China's number three, Zhao Leji, Chairman of the National People's Congress standing committee, also in the Great Hall. In translated opening remarks, Zhao described New Zealand as a "sincere friend and cooperation partner" and said the partnership had maintained a "good momentum". In reply, Luxon acknowledged the "depth and breadth" of the bilateral relationship. He said ongoing dialogue was critical to progressing opportunities and engaging on differences. The meeting came a day after revelations New Zealand paused nearly $20 million of funding for the Cook Islands after the agreements it signed with China earlier this year. The government's dispute is primarily with the Cook Islands for failing to first consult New Zealand, but it speaks to a broader disagreement with China over its increasing assertiveness. In a press conference on Thursday, China Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun described both New Zealand and the Cook Islands as "important cooperation partners" but also offered a more pointed statement. "China's cooperation with the Cook Islands does not target any third party and should not be disrupted or restrained by any third party," Jiakun said. The Xi meeting took place against a backdrop of global volatility with Israel and Iran in open warfare, with the United States and China backing opposing sides. Both Luxon and Foreign Minister Winston Peters have recently described the China-NZ relationship as "complex", highlighting differences over human rights and militarisation in the Pacific. On Thursday, AFP reported that NZ diplomats had privately warned China tried to mislead foreign governments by playing down the importance of a nuclear-capable missile test over the Pacific Ocean in September. A perceived tilt towards the United States has also prompted concern from former political leaders - including Helen Clark and Don Brash - who this month warned the "special relationship" could be in jeopardy. Luxon earlier dismissed the warnings as wrong and "a bit simplistic" - and said the relationship was mature and multi-faceted. Immediately after the Xi meeting, Luxon was expected to take part in an event promoting New Zealand fruit and then the launch of a new tourism campaign to lure Chinese holidayers. Luxon will return to the Great Hall of the People on Friday evening for the final event of his trip: an official welcome ceremony and then meeting with his counterpart Premier Li Qiang. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
South China Morning Post
14 hours ago
- Business
- South China Morning Post
New Zealand suspends US$11 million Cook Islands funding over China deal
New Zealand has suspended millions of dollars in budget funding to the Cook Islands, it said on Thursday, as the relationship between the two constitutionally-linked countries continues to deteriorate amid the island group's deepening ties with China. A spokesperson for Foreign Minister Winston Peters said in a statement that New Zealand had decided in early June to suspend payment of NZ$18.2 million (US$11 million) in core sector support funding for 2025-26 as this 'relies on a high-trust bilateral relationship'. New Zealand and Australia have both become increasingly cautious about China's growing presence in the Pacific region and the potential threats it poses to the country's national security. In January, New Zealand also halted new development funding to the Republic of Kiribati, an island in Micronesia. We 'will also not consider significant new funding until the Cook Islands government takes concrete steps to repair the relationship and restore trust,' the spokesperson said. 'New Zealand hopes that steps will be taken swiftly to address New Zealand's concerns so that this support can be resumed as soon as possible.' The Cook Islands Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration (MFAI) said in a statement the country is committed to restoring its high-trust relationship with New Zealand and appreciated the funding support received from Wellington.
CNA
2 days ago
- Politics
- CNA
New Zealand halts Cook Islands funding over China row
WELLINGTON: New Zealand announced on Thursday (Jun 19) it was suspending NZ$18.2 million (US$10.97 million) in budget funding to the Cook Islands, as the relationship between the two constitutionally linked countries continues to deteriorate amid the Cook Islands' deepening ties with China. A spokesperson for New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters said in a statement that the country's core sector support funding relies on a high trust bilateral relationship and New Zealand decided in early June to pause the funding. We "will also not consider significant new funding until the Cook Islands Government takes concrete steps to repair the relationship and restore trust", the spokesperson said. "New Zealand hopes that steps will be taken swiftly to address New Zealand's concerns so that this support can be resumed as soon as possible." New Zealand along with Australia has become increasingly cautious about China's growing presence in the Pacific region and the potential threats it poses to the country's national security. In January, the government halted new development funding to the Republic of Kiribati, an island in Micronesia. The Cook Islands is a self-governing country in free association with New Zealand. New Zealand commits to defend the South Pacific nation if asked, Cook Islanders are New Zealand citizens, and the two countries commit to consult on security, defence and foreign policy issues. Over the past three years, New Zealand has provided NZ$194.2 million to the Cook Islands through the development programme, according to the government. In February, Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown visited China and signed a strategic partnership that spanned areas from deep-sea mining to education scholarships but excluded security ties. This concerned New Zealand, which says the Cook Islands did not properly consult on the documents ahead of the signing, which breached the arrangement between the two countries. The Cook Islands government had not responded to a request for comment at the time of publishing. The New Zealand government said Brown was told of the decision in early June by letter. Peters' spokesperson said that the agreements signed by the Cook Islands and China and the lack of consultation with New Zealand about them, illustrate a gap in understanding between the Cook Islands and New Zealand governments about what their special relationship of free association requires.
Reuters
2 days ago
- Business
- Reuters
New Zealand halts Cook Islands funding over China row
WELLINGTON, June 19 (Reuters) - New Zealand announced on Thursday it was suspending NZ$18.2 million ($10.97 million) in budget funding to the Cook Islands, as the relationship between the two constitutionally linked countries continues to deteriorate amid the Cook Islands' deepening ties with China. A spokesperson for New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters said in a statement that the country's core sector support funding relies on a high trust bilateral relationship and New Zealand decided in early June to pause the funding. We "will also not consider significant new funding until the Cook Islands Government takes concrete steps to repair the relationship and restore trust," the spokesperson said. "New Zealand hopes that steps will be taken swiftly to address New Zealand's concerns so that this support can be resumed as soon as possible." New Zealand along with Australia has become increasingly cautious about China's growing presence in the Pacific region and the potential threats it poses to the country's national security. In January, the government halted new development funding to the Republic of Kiribati, an island in Micronesia. The Cook Islands is a self-governing country in free association with New Zealand. New Zealand commits to defend the South Pacific nation if asked, Cook Islanders are New Zealand citizens, and the two countries commit to consult on security, defence and foreign policy issues. Over the past three years, New Zealand has provided NZ$194.2 million to the Cook Islands through the development programme, according to the government. In February, Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown visited China and signed a strategic partnership that spanned areas from deep-sea mining to education scholarships but excluded security ties. This concerned New Zealand, which says the Cook Islands did not properly consult on the documents ahead of the signing, which breached the arrangement between the two countries. The Cook Islands government had not responded to a request for comment at the time of publishing. The New Zealand government said Brown was told of the decision in early June by letter. Peters' spokesperson said that the agreements signed by the Cook Islands and China and the lack of consultation with New Zealand about them, illustrate a gap in understanding between the Cook Islands and New Zealand governments about what their special relationship of free association requires. "Trust and meaningful engagement are fundamental to free association," he said. ($1 = 1.6589 New Zealand dollars)
CTV News
3 days ago
- Business
- CTV News
CTV National News: Positive progress after Trump's brief appearance at the G7
Watch Vassy Kapelos explains why from a bilateral perspective between Canada and the U.S., the G7 Summit was a big success for Prime Minister Mark Carney.
