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New Zealand to forge closer ties with China, foreign minister says

New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters said his country will pursue closer ties with China, quelling fears that his protectionist campaign rhetoric would spark tension between Wellington and Beijing, Reuters reported.

Peters, whose leadership of New Zealand First was instrumental in propelling the Labour Party into power following an inconclusive election in September, campaigned on a platform of economic nationalism, promising to curb immigration and reduce foreign investment. This fueled concerns that the country is veering away from its top export market.

In a speech delivered at a symposium at Victoria University's Confucius Institute, Peters said New Zealand "will continue to seek closer cooperation with China as both countries focus on sustainable economic development."

New Zealand became the first Western nation to join China's Belt and Road global infrastructure initiative. Trade has expanded to more than NZ$24 billion per year, and the two countries are in the middle of negotiations to upgrade their 2008 free trade agreement, Reuters reported.