China wants NZ to ease the way for investment

Jia Qinglin. Photo / AP

China's fourth-ranked leader, Jia Qinglin, is calling on New Zealand to provide a policy environment to make Chinese investment here easier, and he may raise the issue at the Beehive today.

"China welcomes New Zealand companies to invest in China and will continue to provide them with a sound investment environment," he says in a contribution today to the Herald.
Mr Jia did not specifically mention the bid by Shanghai Pengxin for 16 Crafar farms in receivership, which is awaiting another ministerial decision having been approved by ministers and then knocked back by the High Court.

But he said: "China also encourages capable and credible Chinese companies to invest in New Zealand.

"We hope New Zealand will provide them with an enabling policy environment and facilitate Chinese investment so as to scale up two-way investment and achieve all-round and balanced growth in our business ties."

Mr Jia also offers views on the role of the United States in the Asia Pacific region, saying problems and friction are "quite normal".

"What is important is that the two countries should follow the principle of mutual respect and mutual benefit, truly respect each other's interests and concerns, appropriately handle friction and effectively manage differences to uphold the large interests of co-operation.

"The vast Pacific Ocean is big enough to accommodate the common development of China and the United States."

Mr Jia is the highest-ranking visitor from China since Vice-President Xi Jinping's visit in July 2010, notable for a scuffle between his security and Greens co-leader Russel Norman.

Mr Jia's visit marks the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between New Zealand and China.

He will meet Acting Prime Minister Bill English because Prime Minister John Key is leading his own delegation to Indonesia and Singapore.

Also visiting New Zealand is Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, one of four deputies appointed for a five-year term in 2011.