Don’t let our differences become a chasm, Chinese Premier Li Qiang urges New Zealand
- Li tells Prime Minister Christopher Luxon that it’s ‘natural’ the two countries won’t always see eye-to-eye on everything
China and New Zealand have agreed to deepen economic ties as Premier Li Qiang warned that both countries must stop their differences becoming a “chasm” between them.
“China is committed to working with the New Zealand government to renew our long-standing friendship, carry forward the pioneer spirit and upgrade our comprehensive strategic partnership,” Li told a joint press conference with New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon in Wellington.
“We agree on the need to expand the scale of bilateral trade and investment cooperation.”
He also said it was “natural” that the two countries “don’t always see eye-to-eye with each other on everything”.
“Such differences should not become a chasm that blocks exchanges and cooperation between us,” Li said, adding they should use them to “learn from each other and grow together”.
He also said China would allow New Zealanders to visit the country without a visa, but did not offer any further details, and urged Wellington to support Hong Kong’s accession to the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), a major Asia-Pacific free-trade agreement.
