New Zealand Prime Minister announces delegation to visit China Minister of Education | Strategic Partner | Prime Minister
After more than four months in office, New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hopkins announced his visit to China.
According to reports from New Zealand National Radio, Reuters, and others, on June 12th local time, Hopkins announced at a press conference that he will lead a trade delegation to visit China at the end of this month. The delegation will include representatives from multiple fields and industries such as dairy products, tourism, and education.
"The relationship with China is one of New Zealand's most important, extensive, and complex relationships," said Hopkins at a press conference
He pointed out that with the support of the upgraded version of the New China Free Trade Agreement, the economic and trade relationship between New China and New China has shown "incredible resilience" in recent years.
The Governor of Chang'an Street noticed that in July 2018, the then Minister of Education of New Zealand, Hopkins, led a delegation to visit China to enhance education exchange and cooperation between the two countries.
On January 25th of this year, Hopkins was sworn in as the Prime Minister of New Zealand, replacing Ardern, who announced his resignation due to personal energy reasons.
Now 44 years old, Hepkins has served as New Zealand's Minister of Education, Minister of Health, Minister of COVID-19 Response, Minister of Public Service and Minister of Police.
After taking office, Hopkins made a positive statement on relations with China. During his visit to Australia in February this year, he stated that China is a very important partner for New Zealand, not only in the field of trade, but also in many other areas. Sometimes there may be differences between the two sides, but the new side will continue to be committed to promoting the development of New China relations.
Just over two months ago, New Zealand Foreign Minister Mahuta visited China. On March 24th, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang met with Mahuta in Beijing. Qin Gang expressed his willingness to continue the good momentum of high-level exchanges with Singapore and enhance political mutual trust. Implement the upgraded version of the China Singapore Free Trade Agreement and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, unleash policy dividends, and tap into the potential for cooperation.
Mahuta stated that the New China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership goes beyond the scope of economic and trade, benefiting both sides greatly. The new side firmly adheres to the One China policy and looks forward to strengthening high-level exchanges and cultural exchanges, expanding cooperation in various fields, and continuing to write more success stories.
Last year marked the 50th anniversary of China New Zealand diplomatic relations. China has been New Zealand's largest trading partner for many years, with exports to China accounting for about 30% of New Zealand's foreign goods and services exports. Economic and trade cooperation has expanded from goods trade to service trade, industrial investment, technology and other fields.
The China Singapore Free Trade Agreement was signed on April 7, 2008 and came into effect on October 1 of the same year. China and Singapore initiated negotiations on the upgrade of the free trade agreement in November 2016 and signed the upgrade protocol on January 26, 2021, which officially came into effect on April 7, 2022.