WELLINGTON: New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said on Monday that China’s Premier Li Qiang would visit the country later this week, in the first trip to the nation in seven years by a Chinese premier.

Luxon said in a statement he looked forward to warmly welcoming Premier Li in New Zealand and that the visit would be a valuable opportunity for exchanges on areas of cooperation between the two countries.

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“The challenging global outlook makes it vital that we are sharing perspectives and engaging China on key issues that matter to New Zealand,” Luxon said.