Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has an online meeting with New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern. (Photo: Thong Nhat / VNA)

The article quoted Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern as saying “New Zealand and Vietnam share a warm and constructive relationship, but there is more we can do together. Vietnam is Chair of ASEAN this year. We have shared interests in peace and prosperity in the region and as supporters of the multilateral rules-based order and regional economic integration.”

The article cited the comments of Mitchell Pham, chair Digital Council for Aotearoa, member Asia Society’s Global Council, director Augen Software Group, who said, “lifting the relationship to the level of ‘Strategic Partnership’ is a very exciting step forward - hopefully this means that the two governments will be working much more closely on opportunities for both countries to benefit, and the horizon will also extend beyond just trading with each other.  

Meanwhile, Warrick Cleine, chairman and CEO of KPMG in Vietnam; chairman of NZ Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam  said “As the world recovers from the COVID-19 crisis, both New Zealand and Vietnam are rare bright spots, having managed the health crisis to prevent meaningful community spread of the virus, and limited the impact on their domestic economies.  Any initiative which strengthens the ability of the two countries to engage – even if it is virtually for the time being – is immensely valuable.”