BEIJING – In a meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, New Zealand’s prime minister underscored the significance of his nation’s trade connections with China.

Christopher Luxon, during his inaugural visit to China after assuming the role of prime minister in late 2023, traveled to Beijing following two days of discussions with officials and business executives in Shanghai, China’s business hub.

His aim is to sustain robust trade relations with China, a key market for New Zealand exports, despite the existing differences concerning regional and global security matters and China’s widening rift with the United States.

“Our trade and economic links are complementary and contribute to prosperity in both countries,” he was quoted as saying in a news release following his meeting with Xi.

Luxon said he raised the necessity of reducing tensions in the Indo-Pacific region and 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.