Chinese Premier Li Qiang held talks with New Zealand's Prime Minister Christopher Luxon in Beijing on Friday, with both sides agreeing to expand practical cooperation to better promote the common development of the two countries.
Facing a fluid and turbulent world currently, it's of great significance for China and New Zealand to strengthen strategic communication and deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, Li said.
China is willing to work with New Zealand to carry forward traditional friendship, consolidate political mutual trust, expand practical cooperation and better promote the common development of the two countries, the Chinese premier said.
Noting that the two economies are highly complementary, Li said China stands ready to work with New Zealand to form greater synergy between the development strategies of the two countries, explore more convergence of interests, further expand the scale of trade, and expand cooperation in emerging fields such as new energy vehicles, green and low-carbon industry, and digital technology applications.
It is hoped that the New Zealand side will provide a fair and open business environment for Chinese enterprises to operate in New Zealand, Li said.
China is willing to deepen education, tourism, and sub-national exchanges with New Zealand, and enhance mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples, Li said, adding that China is willing to enhance communication and coordination with New Zealand under the frameworks of the United Nations, the World Trade Organization and others, safeguard the rules-based multilateral trading system, and inject more stability and certainty into the turbulent world.
Luxon said the relations between New Zealand and China, always based on mutual respect and mutual benefit, have a long history and gained greater maturity. The current bilateral relations are developing well, he noted.
New Zealand adheres to the one-China policy, and is willing to maintain high-level exchanges with China and deepen cooperation in such fields as economy and trade, agriculture, tourism and education, he said.
Noting that the current international situation is undergoing profound changes, Luxon said New Zealand is willing to enhance communication and coordination with China in areas such as responding to climate change and green development, and jointly commit to maintaining the international order and promoting peace, stability and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region.
After the talks, they jointly witnessed the signing of a number of bilateral cooperation documents regarding customs and climate change, among others.
The two sides jointly issued the Joint Outcome Statement of the China-New Zealand Leaders' Meeting. Prior to the talks, Li held a welcome ceremony for Luxon in the Great Hall of the People. The military band played national anthems of the two countries. Luxon, accompanied by Li, reviewed the Guard of Honor of the Chinese People's Liberation Army.
Chinese premier holds talks with New Zealand's PM on common development
The U.S. military strike against Venezuela and capture of its president, Nicolas Maduro, has shocked the international community, triggering a steady stream of condemnation and serious concerns worldwide.
Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Uruguay and Spain issued a joint statement on Sunday, expressing serious concern about and firm opposition to the U.S. unilateral military operations in Venezuela.
The U.S. actions contravene fundamental principles of international law, particularly the prohibition on the use or threat of force, and respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of States, as enshrined in the UN Charter, constituting an extremely dangerous precedent against peace and regional security, according to the statement.
In expressing profound concern and firm rejection, the six countries stressed in the statement that the situation in Venezuela must be resolved exclusively by peaceful means, and through dialogue, negotiation and respect for the will of the Venezuelan people in all its expressions, without external interference and in accordance with international law.
Only an inclusive political process, led by Venezuelans, can lead to a democratic, sustainable solution that respects human dignity, according to the statement.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez condemned the U.S. raid in Venezuela as a violation of international law, adding that the Spanish government always advocates and defends international law and peaceful resolution of conflicts.
Addressing a meeting of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez demanded the unconditional and immediate release of Maduro and his wife.
Noting that Latin America and the Caribbean are a zone of peace, he expressed his firm opposition to the use of force, which is an unshakable principle.
Any aggression against Venezuela shall be regarded as an attack against all CELAC member states, and nations must collectively oppose it, he stressed.
The South African government denounced the U.S. attack on Venezuela as a violation of international law, according to a statement released on Sunday.
History has repeatedly demonstrated that military invasions against sovereign states yield only instability and deepening crisis, the statement said.
South Africa calls on the UN Security Council to urgently convene a session to address this situation, according to the statement.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said what happened in Venezuela demonstrates that international law and the UN Charter are losing their practical effectiveness.
U.S. military action against Venezuela marks a dangerous precedent, as similar actions could be taken against any other nations, he said.
In addition, the foreign ministries of Namibia, Singapore, Oman and Pakistan also issued statements on the same day, expressing grave concern over U.S. interference in Venezuela's internal affairs.
They emphasized the need to uphold international law and the principles of the UN Charter while respecting Venezuela's sovereignty.
They also called on all parties to exercise restraint and resolve the crisis through peaceful dialogue.
U.S. move against Venezuela sparks condemnation, concerns worldwide
