Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang will visit New Zealand this week, Prime Minister Chris Luxon confirmed on Monday.

Li will be the first Chinese premier to visit New Zealand since 2017, embarking on a diplomatic journey expected to also include Australia.

"I look forward to warmly welcoming Premier Li in New Zealand," Luxon said in a statement.

"The premier's visit is a valuable opportunity for exchanges on areas of cooperation between New Zealand and China."

According to Luxon, Li, China's second-highest official, will receive a ceremonial welcome and attend an official dinner "later this week," followed by a series of bilateral meetings.

Li's scheduled trip comes after several high-profile Chinese officials have visited New Zealand in recent months. Earlier this year, Foreign Minister Wang Yi engaged in high-level talks in Wellington.

China stands as New Zealand's largest trading partner, with Chinese consumers showing a strong demand for the nation's meat, wine, and milk products.

However, relations have strained in recent years as New Zealand's National Party-led government continues to show interest in joining Pillar II of AUKUS, a strategic partnership designed to counterbalance China's growing influence in the Indo-Pacific region and enhance the sharing of advanced defense technologies.

New Zealand’s non-nuclear security policy precludes any involvement in Pillar I of AUKUS, which includes the delivery of nuclear-powered submarines to Australia. However, Pillar II envisions the sharing of cutting-edge defense technologies in areas such as artificial intelligence, hypersonic missiles, and cyber warfare.

In March 2023, the administration of US President Joe Biden signaled that discussions about New Zealand joining Pillar II were welcome.

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