Xi meets New Zealand's prime minister in Beijing

Chinese President Xi Jinping met with visiting Prime Minister of New Zealand Christopher Luxon at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Friday.

Xi said over the more than 50 years since the two countries established diplomatic relationship, the China-New Zealand relations have withstood changes in international situation and the two sides have always respected each other and moved forward hand in hand.

The China-New Zealand relationship has always been a pacesetter for the relations between China and developed Western countries, delivering tangible benefits to the people in both countries, he said.

Xi said that as the China-New Zealand comprehensive strategic partnership enters its second decade, both sides should jointly push for greater development in bilateral relations to bring more benefits to their people.

He stressed that China and New Zealand should place cooperation in a more prominent position in their bilateral ties and give full play to each other's complementary strengths.

He called for deepening trade and investment cooperation and tapping the potential of collaboration in scientific and technological innovation, climate change response, infrastructure and other fields.

Both sides should strengthen educational, cultural, youth, people-to-people and subnational exchanges to enrich the bilateral relations, Xi said.

China and New Zealand do not have historical grievances or entanglements, nor do they have clashes of fundamental interests, Xi said.

He called on both sides to maintain mutual respect, agree to differ, and view and handle their differences and disagreements correctly.

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War and the 80th anniversary of the United Nations, Xi said. China and New Zealand, both as builders and defenders of the post-WWII international order, he said, should jointly safeguard the international system with the United Nations at its core, defend the multilateral trading system with the World Trade Organization at its core, maintain international fairness and justice, and promote a more just and equitable international order.

Luxon said the New Zealand-China relationship is of great significance. Recalling that the two countries established a comprehensive strategic partnership during President Xi's state visit to New Zealand in 2014, he said under the strategic guidance of the leaders of the two countries, the New Zealand-China cooperation across various fields has flourished.

New Zealand attaches great importance to its relations with China and stays committed to its one-China policy, said Luxon.

He expressed New Zealand's willingness to adhere to mutual respect and mutual understanding with China and maintain high-level exchanges between the two sides.

New Zealand is ready to expand cooperation with China in trade and investment, and agriculture, fishery and dairy industries, and maintain close people-to-people and cultural exchanges in tourism and education, and push for greater development in bilateral ties, he said.

In the world fraught with uncertainties, the international community looks to China to play a greater role, said Luxon. He said that New Zealand is willing to maintain active communication and coordination with China, safeguard the multilateral trading system, and jointly respond to global challenges.

He also voiced New Zealand's support for China to host the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in 2026.

Xi meets New Zealand's prime minister in Beijing

Xi meets New Zealand's prime minister in Beijing

Xi meets New Zealand's prime minister in Beijing

Xi meets New Zealand's prime minister in Beijing

Visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Saturday China is willing to work with Lesotho to strengthen exchanges on governance experience, enhance coordination in multilateral affairs, and advance the China-Lesotho strategic partnership.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks when meeting with Lesotho Prime Minister Sam Matekane in the capital of Lesotho.

During the meeting, Wang congratulated Lesotho on the 60th anniversary of its independence this year, and spoke highly of Lesotho government's efforts to prioritize economic development and steer the African country onto a path of sustainable growth. Since the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in 2024, the two sides have advanced cooperation under the 10 partnership action plans unveiled at the summit, successfully implementing a number of key projects to effectively promote Lesotho's development and revitalization, Wang said.

China stands ready to work with Lesotho to strengthen exchanges on governance experience, enhance coordination in multilateral affairs, and push for greater development of the China-Lesotho strategic partnership, he added.

Calling on the two sides to firmly support each other, Wang said that China will accelerate the implementation of its zero-tariff policy for African countries, including Lesotho, expand bilateral trade, investment and industrial cooperation, facilitate broader access of Lesotho's specialty products to the Chinese market, and continue to support Lesotho's national development.

China will continue to stand firmly with African countries, uphold justice for the Global South, including Lesotho, oppose unilateralism and acts of bullying, and work together to build a community with a shared future for humanity, Wang said.

On his part, Matekane said during the meeting that Lesotho cherishes its friendship with China and the strategic partnership between the two countries, and expressed gratitude for China's valuable support for the development of African countries, including Lesotho.

Lesotho firmly adheres to the one-China principle and resolutely supports China in safeguarding its core interests, he said, noting that his country stands ready to strengthen strategic mutual trust with China, expand people-to-people exchanges, jointly implement the outcomes of the FOCAC Beijing Summit, and deepen cooperation in areas such as infrastructure, manufacturing and energy.

Matekane stressed that China's zero-tariff policy for African products will inject new impetus into Lesotho's development. He also expressed Lesotho's willingness to strengthen solidarity and cooperation with China on multilateral platforms such as BRICS to jointly address global challenges.

On the same day, Wang also held talks with Lejone Mpotjoana, minister of foreign affairs and international relations of Lesotho.

China, Lesotho to strengthen exchanges, advance cooperation

China, Lesotho to strengthen exchanges, advance cooperation