Jacinda Ardern expressed her interest in leading a business delegation to China a day after the final stage of New Zealand's reopening of its borders was completed.
China's zero-COVID policy results in many cities around China remaining under lockdown or experiencing sporadic lockdowns, thereby making a foreign diplomatic trip to Beijing unlikely.
“As we mark 50 years of diplomatic relations, we look forward to the return of in-person ministerial visits,” Ardern told the China Business Summit in a speech on Aug. 1. “On this, a few plans are afoot. I know there have been indications our foreign ministers will exchange visits when conditions allow.”
However, Ardern hopes to further cement New Zealand's trade and economic relations with China if COVID-19 restrictions in China ease.
She added that the New Zealand government had always maintained a “fiercely independent foreign policy” approach to regional and global issues.
1st August 2022
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