Chinese Premier Li ends trip on high note in New Zealand

China 24

As Chinese Premier Li Keqiang’s four-day visit comes to a close, more agreements are coming out. This includes talks on upgrading a free-trade deal.

CGTN’s Owen Poland reports.

It was like a rock star entrance for Premier Li Keqiang, as Maori warriors and dragon dancers escorted him into a hotel ballroom for a gala lunch in his honor.

New Zealand Prime Minister, Bill English shared a welcoming message for the Chinese Premier.

“Premier Li, the energy and warmth of the welcome you had today reflects the respect in which you are held here in New Zealand and respect for the deepening relationship between China and New Zealand,” English said.

Premier Li said the signing of new cooperation agreements between the two countries during his visit has lifted the relationship between China and New Zealand to higher levels.

“We see no end of our cooperation. We can always move up to higher peaks and climb higher mountains,” Premier Li said.

The partnership was also on display earlier in the day when the Premier visited the global centre of excellence for Fisher & Paykel, the New Zealand appliance company now owned by China’s Haier, which exports to 50 countries.

New Zealand’s Prime Minister expressed his gratitude for China’s help in getting New Zealand through the country’s global financial crisis.

“We believe that the special relationship between New Zealand and China is critical to our future. It’s a big part of the Asia Pacific, and therefore our ongoing economic success,” said the Prime Minister.

As Premier Li leaves New Zealand, he takes with him a special memento from the Prime Minister—his own specially inscribed rugby jersey.


Sourabh Gupta discusses the significance of China-New Zealand ties

To discuss Chinese-New Zealand relations and economics, CGTN’s Mike Walter’s spoke with Sourabh Gupta, senior Asia-Pacific international relations policy specialist for Institute for China-American studies.