China's top legislator Zhao Leji met with New Zealand's Prime Minister Christopher Luxon in Beijing on Friday, to discuss relations between their two countries, including exchange and cooperation between the national legislatures of the two countries.
At the meeting, Zhao, chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, noted that under the strategic guidance of the leaders of the two countries, the China-New Zealand comprehensive strategic partnership has maintained a good momentum of development and brought benefits to the people of both countries.
China stands ready to carry forward the traditional friendship with New Zealand, enhance mutual understanding and trust, adhere to mutually beneficial cooperation, openness and inclusiveness, and constantly enrich the bilateral relations, Zhao said.
He added that the NPC of China is willing to work with the New Zealand parliament to deepen friendly exchanges, enhance collaboration in multilateral mechanisms, and provide legal guarantees for practical cooperation between the two countries to implement the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries.
Noting New Zealand firmly adheres to the one-China policy, Luxon said that the relations between the two countries have continuously gained high-quality development.
He said New Zealand is willing to enhance exchanges and cooperation with China in economic, trade, cultural, people-to-people and other fields.
New Zealand also stands ready to strengthen exchanges between the two countries' legislative bodies and make joint efforts with China to address global challenges, Luxon said.
Top legislator meets New Zealand's prime minister on relations
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
