On the morning of June 28, 2023, Premier Li Qiang of the State Council held talks at the Great Hall of the People with Prime Minister of New Zealand Chris Hipkins, who is on an official visit to China.

Li Qiang said that over the past 50-plus years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, China-New Zealand relations have been a pacesetter in China’s relations with Western countries, setting a fine example of win-win cooperation between countries with different social systems, histories and cultures, stages of development and economic volumes. Next year marks the 10th anniversary of the establishment of a comprehensive strategic partnership between China and New Zealand. China is ready to work with New Zealand to further deepen traditional friendship, and jointly bring cooperation in various fields to higher levels, so as to better benefit the people of the two countries, the Asia-Pacific region and the world.

Li Qiang pointed out that to solve common problems facing humanity, solidarity, cooperation, mutual benefit and win-win results are the right way forward. In the process of China’s modernization, China will only open its door wider to the world. China is ready to share with New Zealand the new opportunities brought by China’s development, and tap into the potential of cooperation to bring greater benefits to both sides. The two sides need to make good use of the upgrade protocol of China-New Zealand free trade agreement to bring our trade and investment cooperation to a “new level”. The two sides should tap into the potential in such fields as digital economy, green economy and creative industries, and foster “new driving forces” for cooperation in emerging areas. We need to jointly advocate free trade, support regional cooperation in the Asia-Pacific, and work to explore “new space” for regional economic collaboration. We need to promote cooperation in education, tourism and other fields, and strengthen the “new links” of people-to-people exchanges.

Chris Hipkins said that China has played a very important role in global and regional affairs. New Zealand and China are committed to strengthening communication, increasing understanding and properly managing differences, and have carried out extensive and in-depth cooperation covering all levels and various fields. New Zealand is firmly committed to the one-China policy, and gets inspired by the opportunities brought by China’s further opening up. New Zealand stands ready to work with China to implement a series of consensus reached by the two sides, deepen exchanges and cooperation in such fields as economy and trade, science and technology, education, renewable energy and localities, strengthen communication and coordination on the Pacific island countries and multilateral affairs, jointly promote economic recovery, and join hands to tackle climate change and other global challenges. He welcomes more Chinese entrepreneurs, tourists and students to New Zealand.

After the talks, Premier Li Qiang and Prime Minister Chris Hipkins jointly witnessed the signing of multiple documents on bilateral cooperation in such fields as science and technology, education, agriculture, forestry, quarantine, food safety, and intellectual property rights.

Prior to the talks, Li Qiang held a welcome ceremony for Chris Hipkins at the North Hall of the Great Hall of the People.

Wu Zhenglong attended the above events.

During Chris Hipkins’ visit to China, China and New Zealand issued the Joint Statement between the People’s Republic of China and New Zealand on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.