New Zealand PM, China's XI in Talks    06/20 06:13

   

   BEIJING (AP) -- The prime minister of New Zealand stressed the mutual 
benefits of trade with China in a meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping on 
Friday, while acknowledging their disagreements on geopolitical issues.

   Christopher Luxon, on his first visit to China since becoming prime minister 
in late 2023, flew to Beijing after two days of meetings with officials and 
business leaders in Shanghai, China's commercial center.

   He wants to maintain healthy trade ties despite differences over regional 
and global security issues and China's growing divide with the United States. 
China is an important market for New Zealand food, dairy and other exports.

   Xi told Luxon that the two countries should seek common ground while setting 
aside their differences, Chinese state broadcaster CCTV said. He called for 
deepening trade and investment cooperation and exploring cooperation in areas 
such as climate.

   Luxon raised the necessity of reducing tensions in the Indo-Pacific region, 
according to a news release from his office. He also brought up the importance 
of what he called "the key role" that China can play in helping to resolve 
global challenges such as the war in Ukraine,

   "In a complex world, open dialogue is more important than ever," Luxon said 
in a post about the meeting on X.

   His exchange with Xi came one day after revelations that New Zealand had 
suspended millions of dollars in aid to the Cook Islands over concerns about 
the latter's deepening ties with China.

   China accounts for more than 20% of New Zealand's exports of goods and 
services.

   "Our trade and economic links are complementary and contribute to prosperity 
in both countries," Luxon was quoted as saying in the news release.

   New Zealand announced this week a limited easing of visa requirements for 
Chinese visitors, a major source of tourism revenue.

   Luxon is headed to Europe next, where he will have meetings in Brussels and 
the Netherlands, his office said.

   He will discuss trade, security and geopolitical issues with European Union 
leaders. In the Netherlands, he is an invited guest to next week's NATO summit 
in The Hague.