Episode description
Prime Minister Chris Hipkins' week-long trip to China centred on a meeting with China's President Xi Jinping, one of the world's most powerful men. Amid tense geostrategic conditions and with a trip to NATO in Europe looming, the stakes were sky high - but his diplomatic dance with the dragon was largely a success. In this week's Focus on Politics, Political Reporter Katie Scotcher analyses the success of Prime Minister Chris Hipkins' first big overseas trips.
Prime Minister Chris Hipkins meets with President Xi Jinping.
"I was able to re-register New Zealand's concerns and restate our position," - Chris Hipkins
Prime Minister Chris Hipkins' week-long trip to China centred on a meeting with China's President Xi Jinping, one of the world's most powerful men.
Amid tense geostrategic conditions and with a trip to NATO in Europe looming, the stakes were sky high - but his diplomatic dance with the dragon was largely a success.
Listen to the full podcast
The meeting with Xi took place late on Tuesday (NZ time), featuring the usual pleasantries and ceremonial handshaking. In opening statements ahead of their 40-minute behind-closed-doors chat, they spoke about the strength of the China-New Zealand relationship.
"Our bilateral ties have continued to grow in a sound and steady manner. Amid the changing international landscape, our relationship has remained robust and strong," Xi said, his words translated.
He said he always attached great importance to the relationship, described Hipkins' visit as "very meaningful", and said the international community was watching closely.
Hipkins himself noted the milestone of 50 years of diplomatic relations, and said the meeting "builds on the foundations laid before me".
Read more:
Déjà vu for PM abroad as ministerial trouble brews back home
PM on China visit: 'There is a huge market here for NZ products
Hipkins meets Xi: behind the handshakes NZ walks increasingly fine line
Nanaia Mahuta: China meeting was 'robust'
PM having to find his diplomatic feet fast ahead of high-stakes China visit
RNZ Political Editor Jane Patterson - on the ground in Beijing - described it as a warm reception but noted the layout of the meeting: seated some distance from one another at a large table in the enormous Great Hall of the People on the edge of Tiananmen Square.
Hipkins and Xi meet in China, surrounded by officials and delegates.
Afterwards, Hipkins described the meeting as "warm and constructive" and "at no point adversarial", but relatively high level…