Australia bans entry for foreign nationals arriving from mainland China for 2 weeks amid coronavirus outbreak

India on Thursday welcomed the New Zealand Parliament’s passage of legislation giving effect to the India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA), signed in New Delhi on April 27. The agreement will provide duty-free access for 100 per cent of Indian exports to New Zealand upon entry into force and create opportunities in services, investment and professional, student and youth mobility.

Beijing reiterated its opposition to "long-arm jurisdiction" and unilateral economic sanctions, stating that any sanctions not authorised by the UN Security Council have no basis in international law. Defending sovereign trade, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said normal economic and trade cooperation between sovereign nations is not directed at third parties and should not be subjected to external coercion or interference.

The meeting emphasised the need to further strengthen the democratic environment and values of the two countries. Both sides agreed to elevate bilateral relations to a sustainable and dignified level based on mutual respect, equality, fairness and justice.

He observed that "it was passed with the support of some Democrats who normally have been very supportive of India," noting that key lawmakers "opted to join hands with their Republicans, and it was passed. So it's nothing you can do about it; it has been passed."

Ahead of Chinese Communist Party General Secretary Xi Jinping’s visit to Washington in September, public discussions surrounding US-China relations have largely focused on trade, security, technology and strategic competition, according to a report by Freedom House.