Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with New Zealand's Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, who made an official visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, June 20, 2025. /Xinhua

Editor's note: Ibrahim Khalil Ahasan, a special commentator on current affairs for CGTN, is a Bangladesh-based independent columnist and freelance journalist who writes on contemporary international issues. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily the views of CGTN.

According to a recent poll in New Zealand, 83 percent of the respondents view China as the most significant partner for New Zealand's future development in Asia, reflecting strong public support for a stable and pragmatic China policy. It was against this backdrop that New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon made his first official visit to China from June 17 to 20, a strategic move aligned with national interests.

Luxon held talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Chinese Premier Li Qiang on bilateral strategic stability, Asia-Pacific stability, global multilateralism promotion, trade promotion and agreements. At a time of global uncertainty, the visit marks the beginning of a new era of excellent collaboration between Beijing and Wellington.

The primary goal of the visit was to further New Zealand's national interests, which include agriculture, tourism, education, and traditional commodity exports. On the first day of his visit, Luxon wrote on X that China is "New Zealand's largest trading partner and a country that's a vital part in our economic story. More than 20 percent of our exports go to China and there is room for growth."

In 2024, trade between the two countries reached NZ$38.26 billion ($22.88 billion), supporting over 100,000 jobs. China accounted for 20.6 percent of New Zealand's overall exports and 25 percent of its total goods exports.

During their meeting with Luxon, Chinese officials emphasized utilizing complementary capabilities and growing cooperation in a variety of sectors ranging from traditional to emerging industries, from infrastructure and commerce to new-energy vehicles and green and low-carbon industries. With China's economy expanding and giving a boost to the global economy, it also presents New Zealand with new prospects.

The deals signed covered a number of useful initiatives to boost trade flows, from customs and food safety to organic product certification and cultural heritage. Simplification of shipping and customs procedures, for example, would increase commerce between the two countries and also diversify their respective markets.

In Shanghai, Luxon witnessed new commercial agreements worth $871 million signed between businesses. While New Zealand's main exports to China are dairy, meat, fruit, and wood products, both sides see opportunities to expand and diversify trade.

A singer performs in celebration of the Maori New Year in Auckland, New Zealand, on June 20, 2025. /Xinhua

Luxon's visit also explored boosting New Zealand's tourism and education sectors - two key pillars of the nation's economy and global engagement. China is New Zealand's third largest source of international tourists and the top provider of international students, making bilateral cooperation in these areas both strategic and timely.

In the field of education, several agreements were signed to deepen institutional ties. In addition to three agreements with Communication University of Zhejiang, Yantai University, and Zhengzhou University, Victoria University of Wellington signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Fudan University in Shanghai to expand research collaboration in fields such as public health, medical research and climate change. The education cooperation will not only increase the appeal of New Zealand's higher education sector but also create new research partnerships, develop a workforce that is globally competent, and improve relationships amongst the younger generations of both countries.

Tourism collaboration also opened a new chapter with Tourism New Zealand, New Zealand's state agency for promoting it as a destination abroad, and Trip.com signing an MoU for strategic cooperation till 2027. New Zealand already issues a five-year multiple entry visitor visa to Chinese tourists to make it easy for them to visit frequently. Now, from November, Chinese tourists with a valid Australian visitor, work, student or family visa will be able to travel to New Zealand for up to 3 months with a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority, instead of having to apply for a visa, a measure that will be trialed for 12 months.

China Eastern Airlines recently announced plans to fly to Buenos Aires, Argentina. The flight will start from Shanghai and go to South America via Auckland in New Zealand, linking the three countries.

As proponents of free trade and multilateralism, China and New Zealand should combat protectionism by strengthening their trade cooperation and utilizing their complementary economies, their partnership under the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership framework, and their upgraded free trade agreement.

In light of the United States' high tariffs and influence on global commerce, it is imperative that these connections are maintained. In addition to traditional commerce, China and New Zealand are looking at collaborating in fields including financial services, the digital economy, and the green economy. The business communities in both nations are eager to strengthen and broaden the trade momentum as Luxon's visit inspires more confidence and prospects.

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Source: CGTN