China’s foreign minister meets New Zealand counterpart, beginning trip that also includes Australia

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has begun a diplomatic tour of New Zealand and Australia, meeting with his New Zealand counterpart Winston Peters in Wellington. Wang is the most senior Chinese official to visit New Zealand since his previous trip in 2017. New Zealand has had strong economic ties with China in recent years. It was the first developed country to sign a bilateral free trade deal with Beijing in 2008. While in Wellington, Wang will also have meetings with Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and the country’s trade minister. Wang arrives in Canberra, Australia, on Wednesday.