The Prime Minister has had a taste of sweet and sour in her final meetings at a regional leaders’ summit in Singapore.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, Myanmar State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi, Malaysia’s Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang arrive on stage to pose for a group photo with other leaders.Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, Myanmar State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi, Malaysia’s Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang arrive on stage to pose for a group photo with other leaders. Photo: AFP
Jacinda Ardern held her two last meetings at a regional summit with Japan Prime Minister Shinzō Abe and Malaysia’s 93-year-old leader, Mahathir Mohamad.
The 15-20 minute meetings, known as bilaterals, are usually chances for the two countries to talk generally about big issues which affect them directly, such as trade or agreements to co-operate in various activities, or to discuss broader regional and global issues such as security.
Journalists are often allowed to witness and film the opening handshakes and comments before the serious talk begins.
The meeting with Mr Abe had all the hallmarks of being genial, with him congratulating Ms Ardern on the birth of daughter Neve, whom he called a “sweet baby girl”, as well as making some flattering remarks about New Zealand’s diversity.
“You are a symbol of a society where women shine,” he said, adding to the banter with comment on the All Blacks recent rugby match in Japan.