China's fourth-ranked leader, Jia Qinglin, is calling on New Zealand to provide a policy environment to make Chinese investment here easier, and he may raise the issue at the Beehive today.
"China welcomes New Zealand companies to invest in China and will continue to provide them with a sound investment environment," he says in a contribution today to the Herald.
Mr Jia did not specifically mention the bid by Shanghai Pengxin for 16 Crafar farms in receivership, which is awaiting another ministerial decision having been approved by ministers and then knocked back by the High Court.
But he said: "China also encourages capable and credible Chinese companies to invest in New Zealand.
"We hope New Zealand will provide them with an enabling policy environment and facilitate Chinese investment so as to scale up two-way investment and achieve all-round and balanced growth in our business ties."
Mr Jia also offers views on the role of the United States in the Asia Pacific region, saying problems and friction are "quite normal".
