Foreign Minister Winston Peters has noted New Zealand and China will not always agree, in his opening remarks at today's bilateral meeting with Chinese Vice President Han Zheng in Beijing.
Peters spoke at the Great of Hall of the People, and told Han Zheng that New Zealand had a long history of engagement with China going back to 1972 with Robert Muldoon and Chairman Mao Zedong, and he was delighted to be in China.
Peters then made the point that New Zealand and China will not always agree.
"If everybody always agrees, there is something wrong with the arrangement, somebody is not thinking hard enough."
The meeting comes at a time of heightened tension in New Zealand and Australia over the presence of three Chinese Navy ships conducting exercises in the Tasman sea.
Winston Peters and Chinese Vice President Han Zheng in Beijing. Photo: SUPPLIED
Acting Prime Minister David Seymour told media on Wednesday, the Chinese had made a "tactical error" by moving through the Tasman Sea.
"Personally I actually think that the Chinese have made a tactical error, because they have alerted the New Zealand public that the world is changing, and that we need to strengthen our defences."
He noted they were allowed to move through the area.
"All I know is that they can legally do this... they are doing what they have a right to do."
He said he believed the government had responded well to the situation.
"If New Zealanders knew what I knew about the actions of the navy and defence force, I think they would be really proud."
The Chinese have stressed that New Zealand and Australia is over-hyping the issue and the ships are in international waters.
China vice president Han Zheng Photo: Supplied
Defence Minister Judith Collins said she was aware of rumours the group were being accompanied by a nuclear submarine but could not confirm them.
"While Chinese task groups do occasionally deploy with submarines, I am not aware of any reports indicating that this is the case for this particular task group."
Speaking in Vietnam, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon reiterated China had not shared their objective with New Zealand.
"There's no doubt about it, we are going to need to spend a lot more on defence going forward."
It is likely Peters will seek assurances today from the Chinese as to why they are conducting the exercises and whether there could have been more warnings.
In his opening remarks, Peters also noted New Zealand is keen to be a positive partner with China and stressed he hoped Prime Minister Christopher Luxon would be able to visit China in the near future.
Peters is meeting with China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi later tonight (NZT).
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