BEIJING - Chinese Premier Li Keqiang called on New Zealand on Monday to ensure a fair investment environment, as he meet Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern whose country has rejected a bid by Chinese telecom giant Huawei to build a 5G mobile network.
Ties with China have been tense under Ardern's government which has openly raised concerns about Beijing's growing influence in the South Pacific."At present, China-New Zealand ties overall are developing in a stable manner," Li told Ardern at the start of their meeting in Beijing's Great Hall of the people, noting New Zealand's desire for good relations.
"I reiterated to Premier Li that New Zealand welcomes all high quality foreign investment that will bring productive economic growth to our country," she said in a statement following the meeting. New York-based Human Rights Watch called in a letter to Arden last week for her to publicly express concern about the situation in China's far Western region of Xinjiang when she meets Chinese leaders.