New Zealand’s Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has played down suggestions of a fractured trade relationship with key export partner China.

Speculation about rising tensions between the two countries hit the headlines last week when a launch-event for the China-New Zealand Year of Tourism was cancelled.

A ceremony was to be held in Wellington this week to kick-start the much-touted tourism promotion. New Zealand’s Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment said the launch was postponed due to “changes of schedule on the Chinese side.”

Media reports also highlighted that an Air New Zealand flight to Shanghai was turned back to Auckland last week, with Chinese officials claiming they did not receive the correct documentation for the plane’s arrival.

These developments come after Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei was barred from supplying equipment for New Zealand’s new 5G network.

Despite the succession of events, MPI's director of market access, Tim Knox, said New Zealand's primary products are continuing to clear the border in China as usual.

"We have not received indication of anything out of the ordinary in China's border clearance procedures for New Zealand products,” Knox explained.

Each month China Customs publishes a list of food import non-compliances that have led to product rejection at the Chinese border. Knox said no New Zealand products appeared on the latest December 2018 list.

"There are established mechanisms for resolving temporary technical trade issues, which includes working constructively with Chinese authorities and exporters," Knox said.

"The overall picture is one of a significant trade relationship working effectively, in both directions."

New Zealand’s trade relationship with China is valued at more than NZ$28bn a year.