According to reports, New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) and Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced official visit to Beijing for three days between Tuesday-Thursday (25-27 February), due to concerns about China’s naval live-fire exercises in the Tasman Sea. New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon criticized China for giving insufficient notice of the exercises, which disrupted commercial flights between Australia and New Zealand on Friday-Saturday (21-22 February).

During his visit, on Tuesday (25 February), New Zealand DPM is expected to arrive in Beijing, meeting New Zealand Embassy officials and Chinese diplomatic representatives. On Wednesday (26 February), DPM is scheduled to discuss Chinese naval exercises, trade, Pacific regional issues, and Cook Islands’ agreements with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and attends high-level meetings. On Thursday (27 February), DPM is set to depart for the next stop on his multi-country tour to the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Mongolia, and South Korea.