Xi urges deeper NZ partnership amid Cook Islands row
President Xi Jinping hosts New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Photo: Reuters
President Xi Jinping met with New Zealand's Prime Minister Christopher Luxon in Beijing on Friday, calling on both sides to place greater emphasis on cooperation.
For more than 50 years, since the establishment of diplomatic ties, China-New Zealand relations have long been at the forefront of Beijing's ties with Western developed countries, Xi said.
As the China-New Zealand comprehensive strategic partnership enters its second decade, both sides should work to grow the partnership and bring more benefits to the two peoples, he said.
Xi stressed that China and New Zealand should place greater emphasis on cooperation in bilateral relations, leverage their complementary strengths, deepen trade and investment cooperation, and explore potential for cooperation in scientific and technological innovation, climate change and infrastructure.
The president encouraged both sides to strengthen exchanges in education, culture, youth and at non-governmental and sub-national levels.
The meeting came as Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown condemned "patronising" neighbour New Zealand, which halted aid to the Pacific island nation after it signed a slew of deals with China.
Major partner New Zealand has halted millions of dollars in aid to the Cook Islands, citing a "lack of consultation" over agreements struck with Beijing in February.
Self-governing Cook Islands has a "free association" pact with New Zealand, its former colonial ruler which provides budgetary assistance as well as help on foreign affairs and defence.
"The relationship between the Cook Islands and New Zealand is defined by partnership, not paternalism," Brown said in a speech to parliament.
"Decisions to unilaterally pause core sector support reflect a patronising approach inconsistent with modern partnership."
Brown said his nation's ties with China did not "compromise" its independence, adding that no military or defence arrangements had been made.
"No debt commitments, no erosion of our national sovereignty," he told parliament. (Xinhua/AFP)
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