Overview

• The itinerary in China encompasses talks with President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang aimed at boosting trade, education exchanges and tourism for New Zealand businesses.
• Trade between New Zealand and China reached more than NZ$38 billion last year, underscoring China’s role as the country’s largest trading partner.
• In Brussels and The Hague, Luxon will meet European Union leaders and participate in a NATO summit as part of the Indo-Pacific Four grouping.
• He will be accompanied by a delegation of business leaders and a Maori performance troupe to highlight New Zealand’s cultural ties and commercial offerings.
• Former prime ministers Helen Clark and Geoffrey Palmer have warned that tighter security alignment with Western allies risks undermining New Zealand’s sovereignty and its relationship with Beijing.