China is building a massive island in the South China Sea that could host an airfield in an area where Beijing is locked in territorial disputes with neighbouring states, a US military spokesman says.

Almost 20 partnerships between New Zealand and Chinese firms have been signed following President Xi Jinping's visit to Karaka today.

Xi Jinping has gone out of his way to forge a strong personal relationship with John Key on his visit.

More wealthy Chinese visitors will have their New Zealand visas fast-tracked as part of a new joint agreement signed between the two countries' leaders this week.

When they closed the door on President Xi Jinping's Boeing 747 at Auckland Airport yesterday, John Key turned to his wife, Bronagh, and said: 'That's my kind of visit.'

Chinese President Xi Jinping discussed his Government's "fox hunt" for economic fugitives with Prime Minister John Key this week as part of talks about "legal co-operation".

China's President Xi Jinping this morning met new Labour leader Andrew Little and paid tribute to the party's role as a "trail blazer" in the relationship between New Zealand and China.

China's official Xinhua News Agency reported that six nurses and one caretaker were killed in a knife attack at a hospital in a northeastern resort town favoured by the country's Communist Party elite.

The appearance of All Black Ma'a Nonu at Premier House yesterday to give President Xi Jinping of China a No 8 All Black jersey was a light end to otherwise serious talks with John Key.

The First Lady of China received the ultimate birthday gift today when she was made an honorary doctor.

China Southern Airlines is teaming up with star chef Al Brown to produce New Zealand-themed inflight food.

Governor General praises Chinese-NZ links as President of China Xi Jinping receives 21-gun salute at Government House in Wellington.

Both Prime Minister John Key and Opposition leader Andrew Little want to press visiting President Xi Jinping for Chinese investment that benefits New Zealand.

Ahead of his third visit to New Zealand tonight, China's President Xi Jinping has penned this letter to New Zealanders.

Racism is behind negative reactions to Chinese buyers in the property market, says the head of one of New Zealand's largest law firms.

A China-New Zealand television co-production agreement is set to help Kiwi producers access the Chinese market as the country eyes greater controls on foreign television content.

A freshly inked free trade agreement could allow Australia to play catch-up with New Zealand's ballooning growth in dairy exports into the Chinese market, according to research commissioned by the NZ....

A Chinese driver whose rental car collided with another vehicle near Queenstown was a "classic case" of why tourists should sit a driving test, a judge says.

Aussie billionaire Gina Rinehart is planning a A$500m investment to supply infant formula to a Chinese market forecast to almost double over three years.

Australian billionaire Gina Rinehart is planning a $500m investment to supply infant formula to China.

The coffin containing Choie Sew Hoy was lost when the SS Ventnor sunk off NZ more than 110 years ago. Now his grandson wants to return him to China.

Australia looked increasingly isolated yesterday as it resisted pressure to put climate change on the main agenda of this weekend's G20 summit in Brisbane.

Here's the challenge for Prime Minister and Tourism Minister John Key when he hosts President Xi Jinping in New Zealand next week.

It was all business for John Key at NZ's new consulate in Chengdu yesterday, but it was all pleasure for his wife, Bronagh - a little bundle of it called Xing Yu.

The Waldorf Astoria sale to a Chinese buyer is likely to spark a national security review to assess potential spying risks.

Having a name which has overtones of the proletariat, it was perhaps destiny that diplomat Carl Worker should end up in China.

Chinese programmer was so sick of being single that he bought 99 iPhone 6s to propose to his girlfriend. It didn't end well.

Heightened tensions between the world's two superpowers will test the diplomatic skills of Trade Minister Tim Groser who arrives in Beijing before John Key for the formal Apec leaders meeting.

Yngve Slyngstad, Norwegian wealth fund's CEO, says almost all investment decisions are affected by what happens in China.