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Why Jacinda Ardern's visit to China is so important

Author
Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date
Mon, 1 Apr 2019, 6:58AM
(Photo / Getty Images)

Why Jacinda Ardern's visit to China is so important

Author
Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date
Mon, 1 Apr 2019, 6:58AM

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has landed in Beijing, for a whirlwind visit of less than 24 hours.

Director of the New Zealand Contemporary China Research Centre, Jason Young, told Kate Hawkesby we have a good relationship with China but there are some tensions.

"The prevention of using Huawei technology and Spark's rollout of 5G, there are questions raised about views that New Zealand put forth in our strategic defence policy statement, questions about the Pacific reset."

He said it's an extremely important visit, which can't be overlooked.

"This will be the first prime ministerial visit for three years and, of course, China is our largest trade partner and a very important actor in the region."

Young said the briefness of the visit shouldn't be an issue because Ardern is in the midst of dealing with the Christchurch terror attack.

"The Minister of Foreign Affairs spokesperson acknowledged that they understood why the trip has been cut short and I think for New Zealand it certainly demonstrates that we value the relationship. The fact that we are still going really demonstrates that."

Topics of discussion will include Huwaei, national security and trade, he said.

"The FTA upgrade and trying to have a schedule going forward. The importance of the Chinese market to New Zealand businesses, not to mention Chinese tourism...there's a very important education relationship as well."

Young said climate change, human rights and the New Zealand Embassy opening will also be discussed.

However, he said the most important part of her visit is simply meeting face to face.

"It's really important in diplomacy to demonstrate the value of the relationship by going to another leader's country, meeting that person and developing a relationship which then provides the opportunity to talk through all the issues."

While he acknowledged that New Zealand's relationship isn't the same as it was two years ago, both countries are working on improving it.

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