The two countries’ top diplomats meet in Beijing to talk economic partnerships.

Australia’s Anthony Albanese said it was in his country’s ‘national interest’ to have good economic relations with China following his first meeting with New Zealand’s new Prime Minister Chris Hipkins.

Incoming leader Chris Hipkins faces task of balancing ties with China and the US while tackling domestic issues such as a cost-of-living crisis.

Ardern cited a host of reasons including the economic growth of China and its middle class for Beijing’s bold geopolitical moves in the region.

Remarks by foreign minister Jeremiah Manele marked first time Solomons publicly acknowledged concerns about the deal and why it had a change of heart.

China’s backing for new telecoms towers in the Solomon Islands, followed by Honiara’s ban on foreign naval visits, is likely to reignite Western fears about Beijing’s influence in the South Pacific.

Both countries said they were aware of Chinese media reports of a ban by Beijing due to concerns over foot and mouth disease, but had not yet received any official notice and shipments were clearing as normal.

Jacinda Ardern on Monday called for Beijing to be clear that it does not support the invasion of Ukraine, and to uphold the international rules and norms that both China and New Zealand had benefited from.

The pipe is large enough for people to walk through and runs under a block of land in Wellington where the new Chinese embassy is to be built.

New Zealand has in recent years tried not to antagonise China, its largest trading partner, at times choosing not to co-sign statements from the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing alliance criticising Beijing.

Leaders of the Pacific Islands Forum members are due meet in July in Fiji, after they were caught off guard by the Solomon Islands’ security pact with China.

Wellington’s muted response to the recent Pacific tour of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi stood in stark contrast to Australia’s. But can ‘strategic ambiguity’ towards Beijing be maintained?

New Zealand’s Prime Minister said China’s presence in the region was not new, but Beijing’s recent propositions showed island nations should stick together to advance regional interests. Last month, China reportedly sought a regional deal with at least 10 Pacific island nations.

Pacific countries can make their own decisions about engaging with China, Jacinda Ardern says, after Beijing reportedly sought a Pacific agreement with 10 nations, sparking debate about the influence of major powers.

Beijing did not get the endorsement of the regional security deal it was hoping for but ‘it’s not the end of China in the Pacific’, analyst says.

China’s ambassador to NZ Wang Xiaolong restates China’s position after joint statement from Wellington and Washington.

Ambassador Wang Xiaolong issues thinly veiled warning as leaders of NZ and the US release joint statement on South China Sea, human rights and Solomon Islands.

Her comments come as China on Monday fell short on a bold plan to have 10 Pacific nations endorse a sweeping new agreement covering everything from security to fisheries, with some in the region expressing deep concerns.

Both countries say they strongly oppose attempts to change the status quo by force in any regions including the East and South China Seas, but did not specifically name Beijing.

Manasseh Sogavare confirms signing of agreement, tells lawmakers they will have to wait for details.

The top court found that Beijing was able to give Wellington sufficient assurance that Kim could get a fair trial and wouldn’t be tortured.

The move targeting wood and paper products comes as prices have been rising amid geopolitical tensions and supply-chain disruptions.