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
