New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins said on June 12 that he would lead a trade delegation to China at the end of this month.
China is New Zealand’s largest trading partner, with New Zealand’s exports to China exceeding NZ $20 billion (87.4 billion yuan) a year.
Speaking at his weekly media conference, Mr Hipkins said the New Zealand delegation would include representatives from a wide range of sectors including dairy, tourism, education and gaming.
“The relationship with China is one of New Zealand’s most important, broadest and complex,” Hipkins said.
The New Zealand Prime minister said that New Zealand is proud of the stable and consistent China-New Zealand relations.
The visit will be Mr Hipkins’ first to China since taking office as New Zealand’s leader in January.
On January 25, New Zealand Governor General Kiro signed a document appointing the new Prime Minister of New Zealand, Chris Hipkins. Chris Hipkins, leader of New Zealand’s ruling Labour Party, was sworn in as New Zealand’s prime minister on the 25th at the New Zealand Parliament Building.
Ardern abruptly announced her resignation on January 19, and Hipkins, 44, was confirmed as Labour’s new leader at a party meeting on January 22. Hipkins said that New Zealand’s relationship with China is very important to New Zealand’s economy, and a future visit to China will be an important part of his administration.