On October 21, 2021, President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory message to Cindy Kiro on her taking office as New Zealand's new governor-general.

Xi Jinping pointed out in his message that China and New Zealand are important partners for each other. Over the past 49 years since the two countries established diplomatic relations, China-New Zealand relations have seen significant development, and the bilateral cooperation has created multiple "firsts", bringing tangible benefits to the people of the two countries. In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, China and New Zealand have carried out fruitful cooperation in such fields as pandemic prevention and control and economic recovery. I attach great importance to the development of China-New Zealand relations, and am willing to work together with Governor-General Kiro to uphold the principle of mutual respect, mutual benefit and win-win results, strengthen dialogue, communication and cooperation, and push the China-New Zealand comprehensive strategic partnership ever forward for more achievements so as to benefit the two countries and their people.