Prime Minister Chris Hipkins’s visit to China has received positive attention from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), who has praised New Zealand as an “example” for other Western nations. Hipkins and a trade delegation hope to revive trade opportunities with China, particularly in tourism and education, to help New Zealand recover from its recession. The CCP’s recognition of New Zealand’s relationship with China comes after Hipkins disagreed with U.S. President Biden’s characterization of Chinese leader Xi Jinping as a “dictator.”
Although Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta’s previous visit to China reportedly included a lengthy disagreement with her Chinese counterpart, Hipkins insists that the meeting was constructive, with areas of agreement and disagreement. With New Zealand’s struggling economy, the main goal of the trip is to strengthen trade ties with China, which accounted for one-quarter of New Zealand’s exports in 2022. Hipkins aims to convey that New Zealand is open for business and seeks increased travel and business ties with China.
However, Hipkins has faced criticism for using two planes during his trip, with one serving as a backup in case of a breakdown. Critics argue that this decision contributes to extra emissions and goes against New Zealand’s goal of achieving Net Zero by 2050. The use of a second plane also raises concerns about the age of New Zealand’s defense force and its ability to effectively defend the country.