New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins has been granted an audience with President Xi Jinping on his trip to China next week.
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After months of behind-the-scenes diplomacy, Chinese leadership has cleared Mr Hipkins to visit China for an official tour that takes in Beijing, Tianjin and Shanghai.
It is the first Kiwi prime ministerial tour of China since the COVID-19 pandemic, and comes before Australian leaders have been able to secure a visit.
In Beijing, Mr Hipkins will meet with President Xi, Premier Li Qiang and Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress Zhao Leji.
"I'm looking forward to meeting with China's leadership through various face to face bilateral meetings, where topics such as climate change, economic stability, regional and global security, human rights and the war in Ukraine will be discussed," Mr Hipkins said.
The visit comes during a time of heightened geopolitical tension, with worries over China's growing assertiveness and concerns it may support invading force Russia in its efforts to topple Ukraine.
However, the New Zealand delegation's focus is economic and trade ties.
Travelling with the Kiwi PM will be Tourism Minister Peeni Henare, Trade Minister Damien O'Connor and 29 business leaders, including Air NZ chief executive Greg Foran, Zespri chairman Bruce Cameron and Fonterra chairman Peter McBride.
Mr Hipkins said the trade mission comes as China is "a critical part of our economic recovery".
"China represents nearly a quarter of all our exports, was our second largest source of tourists pre-COVID and is a significant source of international students.. ," he said.
"The export of traditional goods like dairy, meat and wood to China remain important.
"It's critical we also throw our support behind emerging sectors such as gaming and health and wellness, and the make-up of the delegation reflects our objective of diversifying the breadth of our export offering."
The delegation will also feature Te Whanau a Apanui, reigning champions of Te Matatini, a national competition of Maori song and dance.
The Kiwi PM has also been invited to give a keynote address at Peking University.
Outside of the capital, Mr Hipkins will be a guest at the World Economic Forum's 'Annual Meeting of New Champions' in Tianjin, and meet with "senior Shanghai leadership".
The delegation leaves New Zealand on Sunday, June 25 with the NZ Defence Force plane requiring stop-offs in Cairns and Guam to reach Beijing.
Australian Associated Press
