Chinese Premier Li Qiang pledges ‘friendship’ with New Zealand

Chinese Premier Li Qiang has kicked off a six-day Down Under charm offensive, declaring his nation’s differences with New Zealand must not become a ‘chasm’.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang with New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon in Wellington on Thursday. Picture: AFP

Chinese Premier Li Qiang has kicked off a six-day down under charm offensive, declaring his nation’s differences with New Zealand must not become a “chasm”.

After touching down in Wellington en route to Australia, China’s No. 2 leader pledged his country’s “friendship”, foreshadowing more trade, tourism and investment.

Speaking after bilateral talks with New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, Mr Li said it was “natural that we don’t always see eye-to-eye”.

“But such differences should not become a chasm that blocks exchanges and co-operation between us,” he said.

In a preview of his likely reception here, Mr Li’s motor­cade was greeted in Wellington by cheering supporters from New Zealand’s Chinese community, as a smaller group of shouting protesters tried to get close.

The New Zealand visit comes ahead of Mr Li’s arrival in Adelaide on Saturday, where he will meet South Australian winemakers who were only recently allowed to resume their exports to China.

He is also expected to announce two new giant pandas will be loaned to the Adelaide Zoo to replace another pair, Wang Wang and Fu Ni, who had been there since 2009.

Mr Li will fly to Canberra for official talks with Anthony Albanese on Monday, before heading to Perth for talks with business leaders.

Twelve Australian companies will be represented at a business roundtable to be attended by Mr Li and Anthony Albanese, including ANZ, BHP, BlueScope, Cochlear, Fortescue and GrainCorp.

Law firm King & Wood Mallesons, Monash University, logistics company Qube, miner Rio Tinto, and Perth-based conglomerate Wesfarmers will also participate.