( Observer Network News) According to news, on December 9, local time, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said that as China gradually optimizes its epidemic prevention policy, once the entry policy is also relaxed, she hopes to lead a trade delegation to visit China.
Screenshot of Reuters report
According to reports, on the 9th, the "New Zealand-China Relations Council" held a celebration of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in Auckland. Ardern expressed her willingness to lead a delegation to visit China during her speech at the event.
Ardern emphasized that New Zealand's trade and economic ties with China have proven to be "resilient" even after experiencing the challenges of the new crown epidemic.
When referring to New Zealand's relationship with China, Ardern said that this relationship is "both important and complex" and is constantly evolving.
"We still recognize that China and New Zealand have differences in some areas and that our interests or values differ." Ardern said that on the basis of advocating New Zealand's interests and values, the government she leads is willing to maintain contact with China in areas of disagreement. "Our approach is predictable, consistent, and respectful."
According to previous reports by Observer.com, on August 1, when Ardern attended the China Business Summit in Auckland and delivered a speech, she praised reform and opening up for bringing "significant development" to China. No country has made more contributions to poverty reduction than China.
When referring to China-New Zealand cooperation, Ardern said that it is not always easy to deal with differences between the two countries, but even if "China becomes more assertive in pursuing its own interests," the two countries can still cooperate on common interests and should maintain cooperation.
"There are areas that are beneficial to both sides, such as trade and agriculture. There are also areas that are very important to New Zealand, where the interests and values of China and New Zealand diverge." Ardern said, "Our relationship does not need to be defined by differences. We cannot ignore them, which means (New Zealand will) continue to speak out on some issues - sometimes together with other countries, sometimes alone."
At that time, Ardern also expressed her willingness to lead a delegation to visit China. She said she looked forward to leading a business delegation to visit China when the COVID-19 epidemic permits. She also hopes that the foreign ministers of the two countries can exchange visits.
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern
Data from China’s Ministry of Commerce shows that China is currently New Zealand’s largest trading partner, accounting for approximately 30% of New Zealand’s external exports of goods and services.
New Zealand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade estimated in 2018 that the trade sector's contribution to New Zealand's national economy was 60%, and its contribution to New Zealand's employment was 50%. One in four New Zealand jobs is provided by the export sector. Specifically, about 630,000 New Zealanders rely on the export sector for their livelihoods, including 350,000 in Auckland and 140,000 in Canterbury.
In 2021, China accounted for 42%, 42% and 65% of New Zealand's total exports of dairy products, meat and wood products respectively.
According to the official website of the New Zealand National Bureau of Statistics, in the year ending October 2021, New Zealand's exports of goods trade increased by 23.3% year-on-year to SGD 62.1 billion; imports increased by 16% year-on-year to SGD 67 billion, with a trade deficit of NT$24.9 billion. In this statistical year, New Zealand's exports to China were S$19.72 billion, a year-on-year increase of 18.9%; New Zealand's imports from China were S$15.77 billion, a year-on-year increase of 24.5%.
Screenshot of the website of the Ministry of Commerce of China
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