On November 27, 2023, HE Li Qiang, Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China, sent a congratulatory message to Rt Hon Christopher Luxon on his inauguration as Prime Minister of New Zealand.

In the message, Li extends his warmest congratulations, on behalf of the Chinese government and in his own name, to Rt Hon Christopher Luxon.

Li points out that China and New Zealand are each other’s important cooperative partners. Over the past 50-plus years since the establishment of diplomatic ties, China-New Zealand relations have long spearheaded China’s relations with developed countries, creating many “firsts” along the way. Pragmatic cooperation in various fields has achieved fruitful results, bringing tangible benefits to the people in both countries.  

Li emphasizes that the Chinese government values its relations with New Zealand and he looks forward to working with Rt Hon Christopher Luxon and the new government under his leadership to maintain high-level exchanges, enhance mutually beneficial cooperation, and expand friendly interactions to further grow the China-New Zealand Comprehensive Strategic Partnership so as to deliver more benefits to the two peoples.