Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Prime Minister Lacson and others during his visit to New Zealand, and emphasized the two countries' intention to cooperate in areas such as the economy and people-to-people exchanges.
China appears to be aiming to build a relationship with New Zealand, which collaborates with the United States based on its economic power.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited New Zealand on the 18th and met with Prime Minister Lacson and Foreign Minister Peters.
Prime Minister Lacson revealed that the annual trade volume between the two countries amounts to 38 billion New Zealand dollars, or approximately 3.4 trillion yen.
According to the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Minister Wang stated, ``China regards New Zealand as a rational and mature cooperation partner,'' and emphasized the idea of cooperation in areas such as the economy and people-to-people exchanges.
Meanwhile, according to the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Minister Peters expressed concern about human rights issues and rising tensions in the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait, but the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, ``Foreign Minister Wang We have explained our position in detail,'' he announced, putting a check on the New Zealand side.
New Zealand is one of the "Five Eyes" countries that have deep intelligence ties with countries such as the United States.
This is the first time in seven years that a Chinese foreign minister has visited New Zealand, and it appears that China is aiming to build a relationship with New Zealand, which collaborates with the United States based on its economic strength.