China is set to include New Zealand in its list of unilateral visa-free countries, as announced by Chinese Premier Li Qiang during his visit to New Zealand. This significant move is expected to enhance people-to-people exchanges and strengthen the bilateral relationship between the two nations.
In addition to the visa-free arrangement, the two sides have officially launched negotiations on services trade as part of an update to their free-trade agreement. This initiative aims to expand economic cooperation and open new avenues for trade and investment between China and New Zealand.
The current state of bilateral ties is in the spotlight, especially considering the influence of the U.S. strategic competition policy with China. Observers are keen to understand how this external factor may affect the relationship between China and New Zealand.
The key questions arising include: What is the current state of China-New Zealand relations? How might the U.S. policy impact their bilateral ties? And how can China and New Zealand manage their differences to further boost their relationship?
Experts and industry leaders are offering insights into these issues. Among them are Wang Huiyao, president of the Center for China and Globalization; David Mahon, executive chairman of Mahon China Investment Management; Fran O’Sullivan, managing director of NZ INC and columnist for the New Zealand Herald; and Anna-May Isbey, executive director of the New Zealand Business Roundtable in China.
As the two countries navigate the complexities of international relations, the focus remains on fostering mutual understanding and cooperation. The recent developments signal a positive trajectory for China-New Zealand relations, with potential benefits for both nations in terms of trade, investment, and cultural exchange.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
