China’s President, Xi Jinping and his wife visited New Zealand for the last 2 days. They arrived after the G20 meeting in Australia, with about 160 Chinese officials. They were welcomed at Government House in Wellington by a Maori haka and powhiri.
Xi gave a speech in which he said both China and New Zealand could benefit from increased trade with each other. New Zealand was worried about a trade deal between Australia and China which promised Australian dairy farmers free trade in four year’s time for their baby milk powder. However, Xi said that there is a huge demand for New Zealand products in China such as dairy, beef and mutton, more than we can supply. The two-way trade between New Zealand and China could reach $30bn. This year, it was $20bn. China is our number one trading partner.
John Key announced an extension to the working holiday programme for young Chinese people so that they could work for the same employer for 6 months. He also announced an agreement between China and NZ to work together on TV programmes which would be shown on TV in China. About 20 partnership contracts between the two countries were signed. They included a contract between Air New Zealand and Air China, and a telecommunications contract.
Vocabulary
powhiri – a Maori welcome
extension (n), extend (v) – extra length of time, an improvement