He met with Premier Wen Jiabao in Beijing on Wednesday and said Fiji was discussed.
Wen had noted the importance China placed on New Zealand and other members of the Pacific Forum in regional issues.
“They hoped Fiji would take note of the interests of countries like New Zealand to resolve their issues and they would work hard to improve the relationship and there would be a constructive solution to the issues in Fiji,” Key said.
On Wednesday, Key expressed concern that aid from China to Fiji could undermine international efforts to restore democracy to the troubled Pacific nation.
The issue may be addressed at a top level meeting in Beijing.
Some fear that China will undermine sanctions against the military regime in Fiji by handing out aid directly to the self-appointed government.
“Well-directed aid plays an important part in the Pacific and we are keen to work with the Chinese and others where it makes sense to coordinate that aid. Our concern is obvious really, which is that the risk, in the case of Fiji, is that they can circumvent the process if aid is not well directed.”
Key said if Pacific Islands Forum nations wanted to bring forward Fiji’s expulsion to send a message then New Zealand was likely to support that.
