Chinese FM, New Zealand Counterpart Hold Talks in Wellington

Chinese Foreign Minister (FM) Wang Yi met with his New Zealand counterpart, Winston Peters, in the capital, Wellington. 

China International Network TV (CGTN) reported on Monday that this is the first visit by a Chinese FM to the two Pacific countries in 7 years.

For his part, Peters said New Zealand hopes to re-engage with China and discuss all aspects of bilateral relations.

This year marks the tenth anniversary of the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and New Zealand, which was established in 2014, while Beijing and Wellington established their diplomatic relations in 1972.

In 2008, China and New Zealand signed a free trade agreement that resulted in an increase in the total volume of trade and goods between the two countries from $4.4 billion in 2008 to more than $25 billion in 2022, with the average annual increase reaching 13%.