Chinese President Xi Jinping met with New Zealand's Prime Minister Christopher Luxon in Beijing on Friday, calling on both sides to place greater emphasis on cooperation, according to the Xinhua News Agency. 

For more than 50 years, since the establishment of diplomatic ties, China-New Zealand relations have long been at the forefront of China's relations with Western developed countries, Xi said.

As the China-New Zealand comprehensive strategic partnership enters its second decade, both sides should work to grow the partnership and bring more benefits to the two peoples, he said.

Xi stressed that China and New Zealand should place greater emphasis on cooperation in bilateral relations, leverage their complementary strengths, deepen trade and investment cooperation, and explore potential for cooperation in scientific and technological innovation, climate change, and infrastructure.

He encouraged both sides to strengthen exchanges in education, culture, among youth and at non-governmental and sub-national levels.

"There are no historical grievances or fundamental conflicts of interests between China and New Zealand. Both countries should respect each other, seek common ground while reserving differences, and appropriately view and address differences and disagreements," Xi said.

As builders and defenders of the post-war international order, China and New Zealand should jointly uphold the international system with the UN at its core, and maintain the multilateral trading system with the World Trade Organization at its core, he said. He urged both sides to work together to safeguard international fairness and justice and make the international order more just and equitable.

New Zealand attaches great importance to its relations with China and will continue to adhere to the one-China policy, Luxon said, adding that his country is willing to uphold mutual respect and understanding with China and maintain high-level exchanges.

He expressed hopes for expanding trade and investment, deepening cooperation in agriculture, fishery and dairy industry, and enhancing exchanges in tourism and education.

Luxon said the world today is full of uncertainties, and the international community expects China to play a greater role. He said New Zealand is willing to actively communicate and coordinate with China to safeguard the multilateral trading system and jointly address global challenges.

Wang Xiaolong, Chinese ambassador to New Zealand, said that "The key outcome of the visit is the reaffirmation by both sides of the shared commitment to the bilateral relationship, a relationship defined and underpinned by mutually respectful and mutually beneficial cooperation. It is particularly pertinent given the fundamental interests of the two countries and the turbulent times we are going through at the moment."

The key highlight of the meeting was the shared emphasis by President Xi and Prime Minister Luxon on further expanding bilateral cooperation, Chen Hong, a professor and director of the New Zealand Studies Centre at East China Normal University, told the Global Times on Friday. 

Beyond traditional areas such as trade, investment, agriculture, education, and tourism — which have long underpinned the relationship — both sides aim to tap new potential in emerging sectors including technological innovation, climate change response, and infrastructure development, said Chen.

"These new areas of cooperation are both complementary and mutually beneficial, offering fresh opportunities for growth while reflecting joint efforts to address global challenges," said Chen.

In a post on X, Luxon said that his meeting with President Xi was "constructive" and said that "in a complex world, open dialogue is more important than ever." 

In a report on Friday, Radio New Zealand described the meeting as "highly anticipated" and said that it took place "against a backdrop of global volatility." 

During the Friday meeting, the two leaders also underscored the importance of the multilateral system and their shared commitment to safeguarding global frameworks, including trade. Luxon highlighted growing global uncertainties and expressed expectation for China to play a greater role, which showed that New Zealand has viewed China as a reliable partner in promoting certainty amid global volatility, Chen said.

New momentum

The Friday meeting and Luxon's visit to China will inject new momentum into future bilateral cooperation, experts said, citing new visa arrangements, frequent high-level exchanges, and broader sectoral engagement during Luxon's visit to Shanghai and Beijing.

Rhys Griffiths, CEO of Deer Industry New Zealand, told the Global Times that the official visit shows the importance of the relationship between the two countries and he is optimistic that bilateral relations will continue to prosper.

"China is New Zealand's No. 1 trading partner. I think Chinese consumers in turn recognize the quality of the products our farmers produce back in New Zealand. We are very excited by the prospects of the China market," Griffiths said.

New Zealand is simplifying transit procedures and lowering costs for Chinese travelers to enhance tourism and trade. Starting in November, Chinese passport holders will no longer require a traditional Transit Visa to pass through New Zealand airports. Instead, they will be able to obtain a New Zealand electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA), which is cheaper and faster to process, according to a Xinhua report on Thursday. 

Data from Chinese online travel platform Ctrip sent to the Global Times on Friday showed that as of Wednesday, inbound travel bookings to New Zealand in 2024 have increased by 95 percent year-on-year.

The outcomes of Luxon's visit reflect the steady strengthening of China-New Zealand relations. Frequent high-level and people-to-people exchanges have fostered mutual understanding and trust, driving deeper cooperation across various sectors. This positive cycle continues to enhance bilateral ties, Chen said.

Luxon's visit to China has also drawn attention from Western media. A Reuters report referred to New Zealand's "mature relationship" with China, mentioning that the country seeks to balance economic pragmatism while talking about Pacific security.

New Zealand has shown a strong adaptability to balance its relationships with China, the US and Australia. While being a Five Eyes member with deep alliances, New Zealand values its relationship with China and navigates geopolitical complexities with independence and flexibility, said Chen.

On Pacific Island issues, China and New Zealand also have opportunities to work together and contribute positively to regional development rather than adopting policies of exclusionism, said the expert.

Luxon's visit reflects a proactive and positive approach to China policy, which forms the foundation of New Zealand's broader strategy. "Amid growing global uncertainties and regional tensions, both China and New Zealand, as key Asia-Pacific nations, share a responsibility to help maintain stability and promote development," said Chen.

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson announces:

Premier of the State Council Li Qiang will attend the 16th Annual Meeting of the New Champions (AMNC) in Tianjin from June 24 to 25. Premier Li Qiang will attend the Opening Plenary and deliver a special address, meet with foreign guests, and have a conversation with representatives of the foreign business community.

President of Ecuador Daniel Noboa, Prime Minister of Singapore Lawrence Wong, Prime Minister of Kyrgyzstan Adylbek Aleshovich Kasymaliev, Prime Minister of Senegal Ousmane Sonko, and Prime Minister of Viet Nam Pham Minh Chinh will attend the AMNC. Over 1,700 representatives from the political, business, academic and media communities from over 90 countries and regions will also take part in the AMNC.

The UN Charter laid the foundation for the modern international order and established the basic norms of contemporary international relations, but at present, the cause of international peace has been severely challenged - the military strikes launched by the US and Israel against Iran violate the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, and the US withdrawal from treaties and divestment have severely impacted multilateralism, Chinese envoy to the UN office at Geneva Chen Xu said on Monday.

Speaking at a side event commemorating the 80th anniversary of the UN Charter hosted by the Group of Friends in Defense of the UN Charter during the 59th session of the UN Human Rights Council, Chen said China advocates practicing true multilateralism, adhering to resolving differences through dialogue and consultation, upholding peace to promote development and human rights, and supporting the United Nations in steadily advancing reforms.

The Group of Friends for Defending the UN Charter is an advocate for supporting multilateralism, upholding fairness and justice, and opposing unilateral sanctions. China is willing to work with members of the Group and the international community, continue to uphold the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence - mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, mutual non-aggression, non-interference in each other's internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit, and peaceful coexistence - firmly safeguard the role of the United Nations, make positive contributions to maintaining world peace, promoting common development, and realizing human rights for all, and promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, Chen noted. 

The meeting was chaired by Alexander Yánez Deleuze, the permanent representative of Venezuela to Geneva. Permanent representatives or senior diplomats from countries such as Iran, Cuba, and Russia delivered speeches on current international situations, human rights, security and other topics. More than 40 countries including Belarus, Eritrea, Honduras, and Panama sent representatives to attend the meeting.

When asked about the phone call between US President Donald Trump and the Russian President Vladimir Putin on Ukraine crisis on Monday, after which Trump said Russia and Ukraine will immediately start negotiations for a ceasefire, while Putin said that Russia would "continue to work with the Ukrainian side on a memorandum on a potential future peace treaty outlining a number of positions," without reaching an agreement on unconditional ceasefire, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Tuesday that China supports all efforts conducive to peace. 

"We support direct dialogue and negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, and a political solution to the crisis. We hope all parties can reach a fair, lasting, and binding peace agreement that is acceptable to all sides through dialogue and negotiation," Mao said.

In response to another question on whether China would support or consider participating in Russia-Ukraine negotiations, as several locations — including the Vatican — are being considered as possible venues for negotiations, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Tuesday that on the issue of Ukraine crisis, China supports all efforts conducive to peace. 

"We are willing to work with the international community, in accordance with the wishes of the parties concerned, to continue playing a constructive role in resolving the crisis and achieving lasting peace," the spokesperson said. 

When asked to comment on the EU and the UK's announcement on Tuesday of a new round of sanctions against Russia - targeting its energy, military, and financial sectors and also including Chinese and UAE companies on the sanctions list, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning stated on Wednesday that China has consistently opposed unilateral sanctions that lack a basis in international law and are not authorized by the UN Security Council. She expressed strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition to the EU's unjust sanctions against Chinese companies. 

Mao emphasized that China has always been committed to promoting peace talks and de-escalation regarding the Ukraine crisis. It has never provided lethal weapons to any party involved in the conflict and strictly controls the export of dual-use items. She also noted that most countries, including those in Europe and the US, continue to conduct trade with Russia. Normal interactions and cooperation between Chinese and Russian enterprises should not be disrupted or interfered with. The EU should stop applying double standards on economic and trade cooperation with Russia and refrain from harming the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies. China will take necessary measures to firmly safeguard its lawful rights and interests, said Mao.

China has postponed the return of the Shenzhou-19 crewed spaceship, originally scheduled for Tuesday, due to unfavorable weather conditions at the Dongfeng landing site in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, the China Manned Space Agency said.

The weather conditions failed to meet mission requirements, the agency said, adding that the operation will be rescheduled in the coming days to ensure astronaut safety and mission success.

Question: Recently, there have been various comments in the UK regarding the government's takeover of British Steel. Several politicians took the opportunity to attack all Chinese companies and the Chinese government. What's your comment?

Embassy Spokesperson: The anti-China rhetoric of some individual British politicians is extremely absurd, reflecting their arrogance, ignorance and twisted mindset. Regarding the issue of British Steel, I'd like to share a few basic facts.

1. The Jingye Group is a private Chinese enterprise that makes business investments in the UK on the basis of market principles and conducts operation on its own.

2. It is well-known that British Steel had been losing money for many years before its acquisition by Jingye in 2020 and actually went into compulsory liquidation in 2019. After taking over, Jingye put in substantial funding to keep the company afloat to this day. Had it not been for the involvement of this Chinese company, British Steel workers might have already faced the risk of unemployment.

3. It is understood that under the UK government's net zero strategy, steel companies that use iron ore to make steel must achieve net zero emissions by 2035. To that end, British steel companies including British Steel have all negotiated with the government to find a path to decarbonisation transition. Among them, the Port Talbot Steelworks in Wales closed its blast furnace in July 2024. British Steel's plan to close its blast furnaces and build electric arc furnaces is a normal decision, and it is understandable that the company conducted negotiations with the government on investment for the transition.

4. Generally speaking, Chinese companies in the UK have operated in compliance with law and achieved steady progress. They have made positive contributions to the local economy. According to statistics available, Chinese companies in the UK have contributed over 115 billion pounds to the UK economy and created nearly 60,000 jobs.

5. At a time when the US is wielding the tariff stick against all countries, the UK included, and engaging in unilateral and protectionist trade bullying, those British politicians just keep slandering the Chinese government and Chinese enterprises instead of criticizing the United States. What on earth are they up to?

6. Any words or deeds that politicise or maliciously hype up business issues will undermine the confidence of Chinese business investors in the UK and damage China-UK economic and trade cooperation. We urge the British government to follow the principles of fairness, impartiality and non-discrimination and to make sure that the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies in the UK are protected. At the same time, it is hoped that the British government will continue to engage in consultations and negotiations with Jingye to actively seek a solution acceptable to all parties. We will continue to follow the development of this situation.

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday arrived in Phnom Penh for a state visit to Cambodia.

Cradling the blind box in her hand, Yang Hailun gave it a gentle shake, hoping the faint clatter inside might offer a clue to the surprise sealed within.
Eventually, she picked this one and headed to the store’s counter to pay. 

When she unveils a Minnie Mouse figurine – her top pick – she’s all smiles, ready to hunt for more.

Yang, a Beijing resident born in the 1990s, often meets her friends at various shopping malls after work or on weekends.

Besides dining out, she and her companions are avid visitors of stores that sell blind boxes, anime figurines, and collectible cards. These types of shops are becoming increasingly popular in Chinese malls. 

“Whether it’s for my favorite cartoon characters or a pretty design, I’ll pay for it,” Yang told the Global Times. “I display them at home or in the office as decorations. Seeing them makes me happy.”  

Today in China, for many consumers like Yang, spending money for the sake of such “happiness” has become routine. Trendy blind boxes and anime figurines now decorate office desks, bringing joy to young people.  

This type of consumption – driven by psychological experience and the need to satisfy emotional desires – is known as emotional consumption. According to a latest study released by the China Consumers Association (CCA), emotional release is becoming a major factor influencing the purchasing decisions of the younger generation, the Xinhua News Agency reported in March.

Data from multiple research institutions shows that China has nearly 500 million users who engage with ACG (animation, comics, and games) content. The “ACG-style” consumption market exceeds 100 billion yuan ($13.8 billion) in size, Economic Information Daily reported in July 2024.

Young people are the most dynamic driving force in the market as the core consumer base ranges from those born in the 1980s and 1990s to those born after 2000 and even 2010, according to the Economic Information Daily. 

This trend not only draws back large numbers of emotionally driven consumers, but has also introduced a new concept of consumption and kept shopping malls lively.

Value of emotion

An annual report released by CCA in May 2024 said a new phenomenon was emerging in China’s consumer market, where people are spending money in pursuit of emotional or psychological satisfaction, the China News Service reported.

The report cited several examples: the overwhelming popularity of certain tourist destinations, a surge in live performance attendance with fans traveling across cities, the resurgence of some domestic brands, and the continued rise of interest in Hanfu, traditional Chinese clothing. These booming consumption trends, it noted, are largely driven by a desire for emotional comfort and spiritual joy in specific scenarios.

In shopping malls in several cities across China, the Global Times reporters found that many popular products on the market today are especially attuned to expressing the emotions young people experience in their life.

For instance, plushie toys featuring capybaras occupy prominent spots in many stores. In recent years, the image of the capybara has gone viral across China. To local consumers, this South American mammal, known for its calm and gentle demeanor, has come to symbolize an ideal laid-back lifestyle.  

Another popular franchise, LiPU Friends, which could be described as a cartoon version of the film Office Space starring small animals and a carrot, has also won over young consumers in 2025 with its blind boxes and related merchandise. Its appeal lies in the way it captures a range of workplace states many can relate to – confusion, exhaustion, anxiety, and, at times, a sense of fulfillment. 

“The prevalence of emotional consumption reflects a new value system centered around experiential feelings, which transcends the level of basic needs and emphasizes deriving satisfaction from emotions and sensations,” Zhang Yiwu, a professor at Peking University, told the Global Times on Wednesday, noting that once material needs are met, people increasingly prioritize emotional experiences and personal pleasure, making this a broad consumer trend.

“Moreover, emotional consumption has influenced traditional consumption models, driving the market toward a greater emphasis on emotional connections and experiential consumption,” Zhang said.

New trends on the block

In recent years, the retail landscape of shopping malls across China has undergone a notable transformation. The traditional model, once dominated by clothing stores and dining outlets, is gradually being reshaped by a wave of distinctive specialty retailers.

These include chains such as Pop Mart, known for its original IP-based designer toys, Miniso, which offers merchandise from well-known franchises such as Disney, Pokémon, My Little Pony, and the current popular film Ne Zha 2, and the “goods” stores, which specialize in ACG merchandise.

These stores not only diversify product offerings in malls but also draw large foot traffic –particularly among younger consumers – through unique and immersive shopping experiences.

After picking out an acrylic stand figure of a favorite character at an ACG store in East China’s Shanghai, 24-year-old Lin Yi would instinctively pose with it in front of the store’s intricately designed display wall for social media – a ritual that has become second nature to her and many of her peers.  

“I used to think visiting malls was a waste of time because most shops sold the same clothes,” Lin said. “But when my friend told me about these anime-themed specialty stores popping up in local malls, reminiscent of Akihabara in Tokyo, I went out of curiosity. Now, it’s my go-to weekend activity.”  

This influx of young consumers has also significantly revitalized some commercial districts. 

According to China News Service, an old shopping mall in Beijing’s Wangfujing area, which closed in 2020, was relaunched in 2023 with a new identity as a “New Chinese Style Shopping Center,” aiming to better resonate with younger shoppers. 

China on Wednesday deployed a giant self-developed tunnel boring machine (TBM) for the construction of the world's longest underwater highway TBM tunnel.

The new machine, named "Jianghai," has a maximum excavation diameter of 16.6 meters. It is approximately 145 meters long and weighs an impressive 5,000 tonnes.

The machine is used in the construction of the Haitai Yangtze River Tunnel in east China's Jiangsu Province. The tunnel is a key project to forge a major trans-river road link under China's longest river, connecting Haimen in the city of Nantong with Taicang in the city of Suzhou.