New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is on an official visit to China to deepen bilateral trade and economic cooperation—marking an important step toward strengthening the long-standing relationship between the two nations.
Arriving in Shanghai and heading to Beijing for meetings with top Chinese leaders, including President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang, Luxon aims to promote mutually beneficial growth in key sectors such as trade, tourism, and education. The visit reflects New Zealand’s proactive approach in engaging global partners to support its economic growth and diversification.
China remains New Zealand’s top trading partner, with exports totaling over NZ$20 billion in 2024, primarily from dairy, meat, and wood products. The countries also enjoy strong tourism and educational ties, with Chinese travelers ranked among the largest groups of international visitors to New Zealand.
A major highlight of the visit is New Zealand’s announcement of a 12-month visa waiver trial for Chinese passport holders arriving from Australia, beginning in November. This initiative, along with China’s previous visa-free policy for New Zealanders, is expected to drive growth in travel, business exchange, and service trade.
Prime Minister Luxon emphasized China’s vital role in New Zealand’s economic story and expressed confidence in expanding cooperation based on a mature and forward-looking partnership. His visit signals a continued focus on building resilient supply chains, attracting investment, and supporting open trade frameworks that benefit both countries.
#ITCNewsUpdates #NewsUpdate #TradeNews #GlobalTrade #BreakingNews #AsiaPacificTrade