Ministry Statements & Speeches:
Prime Minister Rt Hon Christopher Luxon met with the President of the People’s Republic of China Xi Jinping in the margins of APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Lima, Peru on 15 November 2024. This was the first meeting between the two leaders.
Prime Minister Luxon and President Xi both acknowledged the significance of 2024 as the 10th anniversary of the New Zealand-China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
The Prime Minister welcomed the long-standing people to people links between our two countries and the importance of leader level engagement, including the successful visit of Premier Li to New Zealand in June this year.
Both leaders reflected on the significance of our trade and economic relationship, with two-way trade standing at almost NZ$38 billion, and cooperation on the environment and climate change.
Prime Minister Luxon noted that there are also issues on which China and New Zealand do not agree. It was important to discuss our differences, as part of managing these constructively.
The Prime Minister noted the importance of a peaceful and prosperous Indo-Pacific to New Zealand and emphasised peaceful resolution of regional tensions, such as those in the South China Sea, through diplomacy and dialogue. He also emphasised the importance of engaging in the Pacific in a manner that reflects the centrality of Pacific regional institutions, in particular the Pacific Islands’ Forum.
Against the backdrop of the APEC Leaders’ meeting, the Prime Minister encouraged China to use its influence and access to help address regional and international security challenges including North Korea and the Ukraine conflict.
Both leaders concluded by agreeing that a visit by the Prime Minister to China would occur at a mutually agreeable time in the year to come.