Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Chinese Premier Li Qiang hold joint press conference at Government house

Chinese Premier Li Qiang has fronted a joint press conference with Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, telling media it was natural if the two countries did not see “eye to eye” on everything.

And Luxon says he raised concerns with his Chinese counterpart about foreign interference here.

“We have no tolerance for foreign interference from any country,” Luxon said.

The two leaders spoke to media at Government House in Wellington. Media were not permitted to ask questions during the press conference, though Luxon took questions separately shortly afterwards.

Luxon said he and Premier Li had discussed their countries’ trading partnership this afternoon.

The topics of conversation covered tourism, science and innovation, and the areas in which the two countries could collaborate – as well as issues on which the two countries had differing perspectives.

The pair witnessed the signing of “a number of important arrangements” between the two countries, covering trade, environment and economic issues, Luxon said.

Premier Li spoke of the two countries’ mutually beneficial cooperation.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang, flanked by Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Governor General Dame Cindy Kiro during his official welcome at Government House in Wellington. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Speaking through a translator, he said the two countries had mutual respect.

China was committed to working with New Zealand to “renew our longstanding friendship” to deliver more benefits for people.

He said New Zealand had been invited to be a guest of honour at an import and export expo in Shanghai later this year.

Premier Li said China had relaxed market access in agriculture, and would further ease market access in telecommunications and other sectors.

He said the pair agreed “people to people” exchanges between the countries needed to be deepened.

“China is ready to ... introduce more measures to facilitate two-way travel.”

Premier Li said China and New Zealand were firm supporters of multilateralism.

He said it was natural the two countries did not see “eye to eye” on everything.

‘We have no tolerance for foreign interference from any country’

Luxon then answered questions separately after the press conference.

On infrastructure, Luxon said any investor from any country needed to be compliant with our regulations.

Luxon said he wanted to address the infrastructure deficit in New Zealand - but was not looking at any specific country, such as China, to help do that.

He said the two countries had differences - and each of the leaders raised those differences with each other.

Aukus was discussed and China “raised their concerns”, he said.

Luxon said he would look to go to China himself next year.

Asked why he wasn’t taking questions alongside Premier Li, he said there was “protocol”.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang. Photo / AP/Lee Jin-man

“We’ve been pretty upfront about foreign interference ... we have no tolerance for foreign interference from any country.”

On the issue of cyber attack, with which China has denied involvement in the past, Luxon said this was one of the issues addressed today.

China had been a long-standing development partner for parts of the Pacific and Luxon said he reiterated the importance of the centrality of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF).

On China and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), Luxon said the issue was raised - but it was not an issue for New Zealand to “lobby” for.

“Our principles are pretty clear,” he said, adding that there needed to be consensus among the group for anyone to join.

Asked if New Zealand supported China joining the agreement, Luxon did not answer directly - “that’s not something we pine on”, or have our own opinion on, he said.

Luxon said the meeting today was 50/50 about differences and issues of agreement.

“We think that major powers should channel and work through the centrality of PIF,” he said.

On seabed mining, he said it didn’t come up in conversation.

Luxon said China was critical for the world to meet commitments around climate change.

“There are still huge opportunities for New Zealand” in the areas of trade because there was a rapidly growing middle class in New Zealand, he said.

China was a “very important” citizen in the global community, Luxon said - when asked if China was a “good” citizen in the global community.

Earlier today, Luxon welcomed Premier Li to New Zealand, saying it was a “great privilege and a great honour” to host a visiting Chinese delegation.

“Welcome to New Zealand, it is awesome to have you here,” Luxon said.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang is welcomed with an official Powhiri at Government House in Wellington by Governor General Dame Cindy Kiro and Prime Minister Christopher Luxon. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Luxon made the remarks ahead of a bilateral meeting with Premier Li at Government House in Wellington. The meeting followed a formal welcome for Premier Li from members of the NZ Defence Force.

Premier Li touched down in Wellington on Thursday morning. He will be hosted at Government House all day, attending a bilateral, a press conference, and then a dinner.

Luxon is expected to discuss the economy with Premier Li, whose role in the Chinese system has an economic focus. The pair are also expected to raise issues of contention.

This is expected, as during last year’s visit to China, then Prime Minister Chris Hipkins saved his most frank discussions of areas on which China and New Zealand disagreed for his meeting with Premier Li.

Luxon foreshadowed this in his opening remarks.

“We live in a much more complex world… My Government is committed to diplomacy and dialogue,” Luxon said, adding he would “navigate areas of difference consistently”.

In a statement released on landing in Wellington, Premier Li quoted an unnamed “classical Chinese poem”, which said, “Good friends feel close to each other, even when they are far apart”.

The delicate balance between trade and security is on the agenda, with the two governments that New Zealand has had since the last visit of a Chinese Premier both taking a more hawkish stance on China.

Premier Li said he wished to extend “cordial greetings and wishes” to the Government and people of New Zealand.

The visit officially celebrates the 10th anniversary of Chinese President Xi Jinping visiting New Zealand and launching a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries.

Premier Li is celebrating the anniversary of that agreement and, in his statement, said he wished to “renew” the ties it forged.

“I look forward to meeting with Prime Minister Luxon and other leaders of New Zealand and engaging extensively with people across the society. We can use the opportunity to have an in-depth discussion on bilateral relations and issues of shared interest, deepen exchanges and cooperation in various fields, and upgrade the China-New Zealand comprehensive strategic partnership,” Li said.

He said both sides should strengthen the relationship to “contribute more to world peace, stability, development and prosperity”.

China’s angst over the Aukus agreement, which New Zealand is currently exploring as a potential pillar 2 partner, will likely form part of the discussions.

The New Zealand Government’s official position is that the agreement is positive for regional security and stability. The Chinese side sees things the opposite way, arguing it is an aggressive, destabilising deal.

Luxon told Mike Hosking on Newstalk ZB this week that the focus would be the economy, in part because that is also the focus of Premier Li in the Chinese system.

“He’s very much responsible for the economic agenda in China and he’s concerned because China is hitting headwinds,” Luxon said.

Thomas Coughlan is Deputy Political Editor and covers politics from Parliament. He has worked for the Herald since 2021 and has worked in the press gallery since 2018.