Beijing urges Wellington to provide ‘fair’ investment environment

BEIJING: Premier Li Keqiang called on New Zealand yesterday to ensure a fair investment environment, as he meets Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern whose country has rejected a bid by Chinese telecom giant Huawei Technologies Co Ltd to build a 5G mobile network.

Ardern, on a one-day visit to China, said before meeting Li she hoped to have a dialogue about New Zealand’s intelligence agency’s decision to reject the bid.

Ties with China have been tense under Ardern’s government, which has openly raised concerns about Beijing’s growing influence in the South Pacific.

China postponed a major tourism campaign in New Zealand days before its launch in February.

“At present, China-New Zealand ties overall are developing in a stable manner,” Li told Ardern at the start of their meeting in the Great Hall of the People, here, noting New Zealand’s desire for good relations.

“China also places a high importance on relations with New Zealand,” he said.

Ardern told Li that she wanted to underline the importance her country placed on its relationship with China.

In 2008, New Zealand became the first Western country to sign a free trade agreement with China.