New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark said in Wellington
Tuesday New Zealand is willing to promote a free trade agreement
with China as early as possible.
Clark told visiting Chinese Vice Premier Zeng Peiyan that the
two countries share mutual interests in many areas, and New Zealand
is glad to upgrade understanding and cooperation with China in
various industries as well as social and cultural areas.
Clark said she expected the two sides beef up consultation and
coordination in maintaining peace and stability of the South
Pacific region.
The prime minister reiterated her country's one-China
policy.
Zeng conveyed cordial greetings from Chinese President Hu Jintao
and Premier Wen Jiabao to Miss Clark, and praised the development
of the bilateral relations, mentioning frequent exchanges at
various levels.
He said China will continue to develop relations with New
Zealand from strategic perspective, and is willing to expand
cooperation in agriculture and dairy industry, as well as in fields
such as science, education, tourism and culture.
Zeng said this year as the 35th anniversary of the establishment
of diplomatic relations between the two countries is an opportunity
for the two sides to enhance mutual confidence and expand common
views, consider mutual concerns and improve cooperative mechanism,
and work together to broadly push forward mutual beneficial
relationship for the 21st century.
Zeng also met with New Zealand Opposition leader John Key
Tuesday morning.
Zeng's three-day visit to New Zealand started in Hamilton on
Sunday. He held talks there with local leaders and made speech on
trade and investment opportunities between the two countries.
New Zealand is the second leg of Zeng's four-country visit to
South Pacific, which will also take him to Vanuatu and Papua New
Guinea.
(Xinhua News Agency March 28, 2007)
