UPDATED 5.24PM: There's been warm praise from the Chinese President, who's described our countries as walking hand in hand.

President Xi Jinping leaves New Zealand in this afternoon, after a high profile visit to strengthen ties.

AUDIO: Green MP Kevin Hague on Chinese influence in New Zealand

Speaking at a lunch in Auckland, he says New Zealand was the first developed country to see the potential of China's economy, and make trade talks a priority.

He says we now have a friendship of mutual benefit and respect.

Almost 20 partnerships between New Zealand and Chinese firms have been signed following today.

Partnerships signed included those between NZX and Bank of China, Huawei and Spark, Air New Zealand and Air China, and Airways Corporation of New Zealand and KuangChi Science and Shanghai Pengxin Group.

New hotel for Auckland 

Plans for a $200 million luxury hotel in Auckland have been unveiled at an event with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Hyatt Hotels has now been revealed as the company partnering with Beijing-based Fu Wah International Group.

The waterfront development will go on the old Team New Zealand base in Halsey Street.

It will feature six storeys, 190 rooms, events centres and a day spa and will include a $2.5 million public space and art display.

Fu Wah says its the company's first investment in New Zealand but it won't be their last in this country, and the want to be involved in another high quality project.

Investment in NZ sectors proves popular 

Meanwhile, investment in New Zealand's agriculture, tourism, technology and education is proving popular with Chinese leaders.

Meetings at Sky City have focused on forging stronger links between regions in our two countries.

There more than 600 regions and provinces in China.

Local Government New Zealand president, Lawrence Yule, says forging links is a step towards combating uneven growth across New Zealand's regions.

He says China's global investment is expected to be more than 1.25 trillion over the next 10 years, and we need to make sure we're in the queue.