Chinese Premier Li reportedly to visit New Zealand 'this week'

Chinese Premier Li Qiang will visit New Zealand this week, Prime Minister Chris Luxon said Monday, a rare visit expected to focus on bolstering trade while setting aside security concerns. Li will be the first Chinese premier to visit New Zealand since 2017, embarking on a trip that is widely expected to also take him to Australia. "I look forward to warmly welcoming Premier Li in New Zealand," Luxon said in a statement. "The premier's visit is a valuable opportunity for exchanges on areas of cooperation between New Zealand and China." Li follows a string of high-powered Chinese delegates who have made the trip to New Zealand in recent months. "The high-level visit in itself is a win," said Young, from New Zealand's Victoria University. Li is expected to visit Australia after New Zealand, although Canberra has yet to confirm that leg of the trip.