Peters ‘delighted’ to host Chinese Foreign Minister

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Foreign Minister Winston Peters sat down for a bilateral meeting yesterday, the first in Wellington since 2017.

Wang arrived at Parliament yesterday afternoon and after meeting Peters will briefly meet Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Trade Minister Todd McClay, before having dinner with Peters. Wang will then travel to Australia.

Framed by ferns in Parliament’s Grand Hall, Peters welcomed Wang to “the heart of New Zealand’s democracy”.

“I was pleased to have the opportunity to visit China again in 2018, where you hosted me as foreign minister, and I’m delighted to return the privilege today,” Peters said.

“This meeting builds on the foundations of many previous engagements, and there have been some significant developments since we last met, not least a global pandemic that impacted, alas, both of our countries.”

He said the meeting was a “valuable opportunity to reflect on the challenges and opportunities that are now before us”.

“We appreciate the opportunity to cooperate with China bilaterally and to work together on regional and national issues of importance to both of our countries.”

According to a translation of Wang’s remarks in response, the foreign minister said he appreciated Peters positive attitude towards dialogue and – regardless of international developments – the China-New Zealand relationship had a healthy momentum.

Wang said he wanted to work with the National-coalition Government, and in the face of a chaotic international situation he wanted to strengthen strategic communication with New Zealand on issues of “common concern”.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin – who sat alongside Wang at the bilateral meeting – told reporters at a press briefing last week that Wang’s visit would involve “extensive and in-depth exchanges of views on bilateral relations and international and regional issues of mutual interest”.

“China looks forward to working with the two countries to deliver on the common understandings between the leaders, enhance strategic communication, deepen mutual trust, advance exchanges and cooperation, promote the steady and sustained growth of the China-New Zealand and China-Australia comprehensive strategic partnerships and contribute to world peace, stability and prosperity,”