China-New Zealand Ties: PM's China visit to help promote bilateral partnership

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Jacinda Ardern will arrive in Beijing today for her first China trip as New Zealand's prime minister. Her visit is expected to inject new impetus into the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership, and bring tangible benefits to the peoples of the two countries. Owen Poland reports.

Chinese tourism has become a huge part of the New Zealand economy. Over the past twelve months, Chinese visitors increased by 13 percent to more than 450 thousand and that number is expected to double within six years.

KELVIN DAVIS NEW ZEALAND MINISTER OF TOURISM "The fact that they're interested in coming to New Zealand is really big for us and we don't take that lightly so we hope that they come and we welcome them as whanau, as family."

China has also become New Zealand's largest trading partner after becoming the first developed country to sign a Free Trade Agreement with China in 2008.

DAVID PARKER NEW ZEALAND MINISTER FOR TRADE & EXPORT GROWTH "Trade between our two countries has boomed, it's tripled, it's now 28 billion dollars two-way trade in goods and services. There's been investment flows in both directions as well and it has served the interests of both China and New Zealand very well."

Dairy products, like milk formula, are New Zealand's biggest export earner and China is the biggest market with 46 thousand new mouths to feed every day.

DAVID SPURWAY CHIEF EXECUTIVE, NEW ZEALAND NEW MILK "China's a fantastic place to do business, there's so much opportunity there. And the opportunity exists because of its size, because of its trade agreement with New Zealand, because of its desire for quality."

But it's not just about food. China is also New Zealand's largest source of international students and New Zealand has become home to almost 300 thousand Chinese New Zealanders.

STEPHEN JACOBI CEO, NEW ZEALAND CHINA COUNCIL "Trade has always been a big part of the relationship. But today the relationship has a human face. It's about people to people exchanges and that's a very good thing."

OWEN POLAND AUCKLAND "Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says that China is an important and valued partner for New Zealand, and during her brief visit to Beijing she'll open New Zealand's new embassy building and hold a broad range of discussions on regional and global issues including climate change and trade."

One of the key talking points is likely to be around China's Belt and Road initiative and a much-needed upgrade of the Free Trade Agreement which still imposes heavy tariffs on New Zealand exports.

GENG SHUANG CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN "We hope the visit will help strengthen mutual understanding and trust between two sides and cooperation in various fields to inject new impetus to a central strategic partnership."

There's also likely to be discussion around sensitive political issues like the South China Sea, but it's hoped that the Prime Minister's visit highlights the importance of the Chinese relationship.

STEPHEN JACOBI CEO, NEW ZEALAND CHINA COUNCIL "And I think we have to realise that the whole world is coming to China and to Beijing and our Chinese friends have got to manage all of that. The good thing is that we've got New Zealand on the dance card and the visit is taking place."

And while the Christchurch tragedy has shown her compassion, it's also revealed a Prime Minister that's determined to protect New Zealand's reputation on the world stage. Owen Poland, CGTN, Auckland.