(Wellington) Chinese Premier Li Qiang arrived in New Zealand on Thursday, the start of a tour which will also take him to Australia to develop trade relations in a tense security context in the region.

This six-day trip, during which Li Qiang is to meet his New Zealand and Australian counterparts, is the first visit by a Chinese official of this rank since 2017.

In seven years, China’s relations with these two countries have changed radically.

China is New Zealand’s largest trading partner, with Chinese consumers fond of New Zealand meat, wine and milk.

But while Wellington has long been one of Beijing’s closest partners among Western democracies, relations have become strained in recent years between the two states as China has sought to expand its military and diplomatic power in the Pacific. .

It also plans to participate in the Aukus military alliance, concluded between Washington, Canberra and London, which is viewed unfavorably by China.

New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters in May criticised China’s move to strengthen its security presence in the Pacific islands, warning against actions that could “destabilise” or weaken regional security.

“New Zealand and China are engaged on issues where we have common interests, and we speak frankly and constructively to each other about issues where we have differences,” Mr Luxon said on Monday. “Our relationships are important, complex and strong. »

His visit comes after those of several high-ranking Chinese officials in recent months.  Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi notably made a whirlwind visit to the capital Wellington in early 2024.

It also follows Beijing lifting most trade barriers to Australian exports, including coal, timber, barley and wine.

China then raised taxes on a number of Australian products, particularly wine, beef and barley.

Most of these surcharges have been lifted as relations between Beijing and Canberra have warmed since Labor came to power.

When it comes to defense, however, Australia favors a close alliance with the United States, to counter China’s growing diplomatic and military influence in the Pacific.