Luxon and Xi Pledge Cooperation at APEC

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon met with Chinese President Xi Jinping during the APEC Summit in Peru, marking their first meeting and a pledge for enhanced cooperation between the two nations. Luxon described the discussions as 'constructive and positive', emphasizing the importance of their longstanding relationship while also indicating a readiness to address contentious issues such as Taiwan and human rights. Xi expressed China's willingness to work together to create new milestones in their bilateral ties and acknowledged New Zealand's support for cooperation since Luxon's administration took office. The two leaders discussed potential areas of collaboration in trade, tourism, education, and climate change, with Luxon highlighting the significance of trade ties, as China is New Zealand's largest trading partner. Luxon has been invited to visit China in 2025, signaling a continued diplomatic engagement. Despite the positive tone, New Zealand's foreign minister acknowledged the complexities in their relationship, reflecting on differing perspectives on regional and human rights issues.