Chinese Premier Li Qiang touted trade and “friendship” as he started a tour of New Zealand and Australia on Thursday, a rare visit that comes as both hosts grapple with Beijing’s influence in the Pacific.

Second only to President Xi Jinping in China’s political hierarchy, Li is the most senior figure to arrive on official business in either nation since 2017.

Over six days, Li will set foot in five different cities, meet two prime ministers, hold talks with a string of business leaders, and engage in China’s trademark “Panda diplomacy”.

A noisy crowd greeted Li as his motorcade pulled into the Intercontinental Hotel in the heart of New Zealand’s capital Wellington.
Cheering supporters banged drums and waved banners, while a smaller group of shouting protesters clambered to get a look at his car.