New Zealand and China still have ‘significant differences’, despite Wang Yi’s ‘charm offensive’ visit

During a meeting on Monday with his New Zealand counterpart Winston Peters at the start of a tour that will also include Australia, Wang said his side was willing to work with New Zealand to deepen trade and economic ties and address climate change.

The highest-ranking Chinese official to visit the country since 2017, Wang described China’s ties with New Zealand as “a force for stability” and called for the creation of better conditions for exchanges including education, tourism and youth programmes.

Describing the meeting as respectful, convivial, and “very frank”, Peters also revealed that New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon would travel to China in the coming months.

The ministers also discussed trade, business and security in the Pacific as well as “areas of difference” including human rights and the situation in Xinjiang, Hong Kong and Tibet, according to a statement issued by Peters after the meeting.

Wang’s visit came amid a tilt by the New Zealand government towards the United States and Australian defence policy, and the possibility that Wellington will join Pillar 2 of the Aukus defence pact.

Made up of Australia, the United Kingdom and the US, Aukus was established in September 2021 and has two pillars: the first to deliver nuclear-powered attack submarines to Australia.

The second is focused on the joint development of advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence and quantum computing, as well as boosting intelligence sharing.

New Zealand also recently deployed a defence team to the Middle East as part of an international alliance spearheaded by the US and Britain, which have been launching air strikes in the Red Sea against the Houthi militant group in Yemen.

Describing Wang’s visit as a “charm