China, New Zealand vow to further promote strategic relations

China and New Zealand pledged to further promote their comprehensive strategic partnership in a talk between President Xi Jinping and visiting Governor-General Jerry Mateparae on Tuesday.

Xi said the bilateral relationship is entering a new stage. The two countries should continue to abide by the principle of mutual respect and reciprocity, and expand cooperation in all areas.

Xi called on the two sides to strengthen communication and exchanges between governments, political parties, localities and all circles of life, expand cooperation in areas including agriculture, animal husbandry, food safety, biological medicine, new energy and infrastructure construction.

He said the two countries could further advance their defense cooperation through high-level visits, defense consultation, joint military exercises, training and officer exchanges.

Xi said the two sides should increase judicial cooperation to jointly fight against transnational crimes, and strengthen exchanges between students and talented people, as well as cooperation in such areas as scientific research, Chinese-language and sports.

Mateparae said the New Zealand government attached high importance to China's development and the bilateral relationship. He said he hopes his China visit could further promote the political and economic dialogue between the two countries. New Zealand hoped to grasp the opportunity brought by China's development.

Regarding regional affairs, Xi said both China and New Zealand are important countries in the Asia-Pacific region, sharing common interest in promoting regional stability and development.

China is ready to strengthen communication and coordination with New Zealand on regional cooperation mechanisms and economic integration and deepen their cooperation within the framework of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), Xi said.

He added that China will work with all parties, including New Zealand, to make the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) a reciprocal, professional and efficient investment and financing platform to promote regional intercommunication and economic development.

Xi said this year marks the 70th anniversary of the UN. China is willing to join hands with the international community to maintain the fruits of victory of WWII and the basic norms of international relations based on the UN Charter.

China is ready to strengthen communication with New Zealand on issues including the UN-led post-2015 development agenda and the Paris Conference on climate change, Xi noted.

Mateparae said New Zealand and China can strengthen cooperation on global issues including the climate change, despite their different national situation. Cooperation on regional affairs is an important component of the bilateral relations.

New Zealand is also ready to work with China, under multilateral frameworks such as UN and APEC, to promote their cooperation with third parties to jointly help those island nations in the South Pacific region, Mateparae said.

Mateparae was on a state visit to China from July 20 to 24 at the invitation of Xi.