The Chinese Premier Li Qiang has arrived in Wellington, kicking off his official visits to New Zealand and Australia.
The New Zealand trip marks a rare visit to China’s closest partner among Western democracies, where a celebration of trade links is expected to vie with concerns about South Pacific security on Wellington’s agenda.
On Thursday, more than 100 people held banners and Chinese and New Zealand flags aloft as they lined a side street near the airport in chilly, overcast conditions to watch Li’s Air China flight arrive — an unusual sight in the capital, Wellington, population 215,000, which is absent from many international air routes.
Supporters of the Chinese government wave Chinese flags outside Government House prior to an official welcome ceremony.Credit: Getty Images
China’s No. 2 official, Li is the first Chinese premier to visit New Zealand since a 2017 visit by Li Keqiang.
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Li’s next stop, Australia, coincides with easing tensions between the countries that have vexed the relationship in recent years.
Li will arrive in Australia on Saturday, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese vowing to use a four-day visit to raise difficult issues including provocative military actions by China’s People’s Liberation Army.
There will also be a side of Panda diplomacy, as hopes grow that Chinese pandas will remain in Australia as a symbol of improved relations between the two nations.
AP