There is confidence New Zealand's relationship with China is safe.

The world's second largest economy expanded 4.9 percent in the July-to-September quarter, compared to a year ago.

New Zealand China Council chairman Sir Don McKinnon told Mike Hosking the appetite of Chinese people for New Zealand dairy and meat products is increasing.

“Some people in this country might have doubts about eating red meat, but there's no question for the Chinese because they love it.”

McKinnon says we have a lot of experience dealing with major powers on the trading front.

He says we don't find it necessary to publicly assassinate people all the time.

‘We tell them what we don't like but we don't broadcast it across the airwaves.”

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