Chinese vice premier praises New Zealand for positive China policy

WELLINGTON, Nov. 2 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang on Monday praised the New Zealand government for the positions it has taken concerning China.

Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang (L) shakes hands with Deputy Prime Minister of New Zealand Bill English in Wellington, New Zealand, Nov. 2. 2009. (Xinhua/Liu Jiansheng)

"The New Zealand government has adopted a positive China policy and upheld the one-China policy," Li said during a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Bill English.

Li said mutual respect for each nation's core interests serves as a solid foundation for bilateral relations between China and New Zealand.

He said China has always attached great importance to its relationship with New Zealand and treats the nation as a good friend and partner in the South Pacific region.

Cooperation and exchanges between China and New Zealand, Li said, have enjoyed steady growth in all fields.

New Zealand was the first developed country to sign a free trade agreement with China. Bilateral trade and economic cooperation have developed rapidly since implementation of the agreement began in October 2008.

Despite the impact of the global financial crisis, trade between China and New Zealand grew rapidly in the first nine months of 2009, Li noted.

China is now the second largest trading partner and the third biggest export market of New Zealand, which Li said proved that the economies of the two countries were highly complementary and the free trade deal was in the interests of both sides.

Li said that China would work with New Zealand to continue to advance their comprehensive cooperative relationship, which is mutually beneficial and a win for both countries.

During the meeting with English, Li specified five areas where China and New Zealand could further strengthen their cooperation. Those included more exchanges at different government levels to promote mutual understanding and trust, continuous efforts to fully implement the free trade pact and strengthened cooperation in environmental protection and resources development between enterprises in both countries.

Moreover, Li also urged both sides to enhance friendly exchanges and pragmatic cooperation in culture, education, tourism and science and technology. He also urged both countries to strengthen their communications and consultations on multilateral issues, such as climate change, and to build a peaceful, stable and prosperous Asia-Pacific region.

English, on his part, said New Zealand and China have enjoyed friendly relations and the governments of his country have been committed to consolidating and developing a sound relationship with China.

Noting the rapid growth in bilateral trade since the implementation of the free trade agreement, English said that the deal was crucial for his country to expand exports.

Besides trade, English said the two sides have also conducted fruitful cooperation in many other areas such as food safety and multi-lateral issues.

He said his country hoped to maintain the growth momentum of bilateral ties between the two countries by promoting mutual trust, expanding pragmatic cooperation in all fields and strengthening coordination and cooperation on a variety of global issues.

English also praised China for its successful efforts in fighting the global financial crisis.

After the meeting, the two leaders attended a signing ceremony for bilateral agreements on education, food safety and quarantine.

Li arrived in New Zealand on Sunday after concluding an official visit to Australia. In New Zealand, he visited Christchurch before traveling to Wellington and is also scheduled to visit Auckland, the country's largest city.

After his visit in New Zealand, Li is also to visit Papua New Guinea.