New Zealand's new embassy in China a 'significant diplomatic' space

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says New Zealand's new $50 million embassy in Beijing, China is "one of our most significant diplomatic spaces".

The compound features a whare replete with tukutuku panels carved by a Māori carver, but have done away with the tennis courts.

It was a project which began under former Prime Minister John Key, but has been formally opened by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.

"This is a significant event for New Zealand, you'll see from this building that this is one our most significant diplomatic spaces we have abroad," she said.

"It demonstrates the importance of the relationship and the strength of the relationship going forward."

READ MORE:
* Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern's flying visit to China
* Jacinda Ardern set for awkward conversations on China trip
* Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern to travel to China, meet President Xi Jinping
* New Zealand and Australia play up importance of China trade

Construction of the embassy site finished in June 2018 and Key's name is still on the plaque.

But there was a lot more than plush design at the heart of the decision to bowl down the old embassy and build anew.

New Zealand's diplomatic staff have been housed in temporary offices for the past five years.

The new embassy building has been rebuilt on the same site as New Zealand's original embassy, which was first established in the 1970s shortly after diplomatic relations with China began.

New Zealand ambassador to China Clare Fearnley said the new facilities would play a crucial role in the development of the relationship between the two countries.

"The decision was made that given the changing nature of the relationship that we have with China, the changing configuration of our presence here in China and the state of the old building, we needed to do a new build on it," Fearnley said.

"It's a great asset for us. It's a great asset in doing those things which we are tasked with; being the ears and eyes and voice for New Zealand, here in China."

She said the tennis courts and swimming pool of the old 70s site had been done away with, to make room for a building that was more functional as a work space.

The New Zealand ambassador's residence was also on the site.

At the unveiling, Ardern said the building footprint was reflective of New Zealand's relationship with China, and in comparison to our relationship with a number of other nations.

"Here (in China), we have one of the most significant footprints that we have globally."

"I think that speaks to the importance of our relationship with China, and the growing importance of our relationship with China," Ardern said.

"It's people-to-people links, our tourism numbers are growing... I see those only growing in the future."