PM to visit China and Europe, will meet Xi Jinping
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon will travel to the country's largest trading partner next week, before moving on to Europe.
He will be joined by a delegation of senior New Zealand business leaders in China's Shanghai and Beijing from June 17 to June 20. He will meet senior officials including President Xi Jinping.
The visit would focus on growing trade, which was worth over $38 billion last year, as well as also look to strengthen education and tourism links and to maximise opportunities for New Zealand businesses.
Luxon said China was a "vital part of our economic story" as New Zealand's largest trading partner, source of international students and third-largest tourism market.
"New Zealand is a trusted supplier of safe, high-quality food and beverage products to Chinese consumers. It is an important market, and I look forward to doing what I can to support Kiwi businesses to thrive.
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"This visit is about backing the recovery of international education and tourism and putting New Zealand front and centre as a world-class destination for travel, study, and long-term connection."
The Prime Minister will meet China's top leadership, including President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang, to discuss the comprehensive bilateral relationship and key regional and global issues.
Their face-to-face meeting has been hailed a success by the PM as it concentrated on trade issues. (Source: 1News)
"The challenging global outlook makes it vital that we are sharing perspectives and engaging China on issues that matter to New Zealand."
The Prime Minister would be accompanied by the 2025 Te Matatini champions, Te Kapa Haka o Ngatī Whakaue.
Europe
Luxon will then travel on to Europe to undertake bilateral visits in Brussels and the Hague from June 21 to 25.
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He would be meeting meet with leaders, including from the European Union, to discuss trade, security, and the shifting geopolitical landscape.
The morning's headlines in 90 seconds including Air India crash, ferry still out of action, and ignoring TikTok KiwiSaver hacks. (Source: 1News)
'We have a high-quality trade relationship with the European Union, and the Netherlands and Belgium are gateways for New Zealand's growing exports to Europe," he said.
"Since the early entry into force of the New Zealand-European Union Free Trade Agreement, Kiwi goods exports have grown by over 25%, which is a more than $1 billion increase."
In the Netherlands, the Prime Minister would participate in the NATO Summit and hold one-on-one talks with a number of NATO leaders.
'Prosperity is only possible with security, and our discussions will focus on connections between the Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific security environments,' Luxon said.
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