Wang, Luxon vow to strengthen China-NZ ties
VISITING Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon met in Wellington yesterday with both sides pledging further efforts to strengthen cooperation and relations.
Wang, who is also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, began his five-day official visit to New Zealand and to Australia on Sunday.
China-New Zealand relations have always been at the forefront of China’s relations with developed countries, and has become a treasure for both sides to cherish and carry forward, he said.
China regards New Zealand as a rational and mature cooperative partner, and bilateral relations are strategic and long-term in nature.
Forging a stronger bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership will not only benefit the two peoples, but also make new contributions to global peace and development, Wang noted.
New Zealand takes education, technological innovation, infrastructure, business environment and export expansion as its policy priorities, and China is willing to be a reliable strategic partner of New Zealand in these areas, he added.
China is happy to see New Zealand’s continued participation in the Belt and Road Initiative, and looks forward to working with New Zealand to explore new areas of cooperation such as science and technology, green and innovation while strengthening ties in traditional fields.
The Chinese economy enjoys both a solid foundation and a broad space for growth, which will continue to inject more impetus into the world economy and bring new opportunities to New Zealand, the foreign minister said.
China and New Zealand both advocate multilateralism, support the central role of the United Nations in international affairs, and are committed to resolving international disputes by peaceful means, he pointed out.
Luxon said that New Zealand-China relations are very important and have achieved strong development, and economic and trade cooperation has yielded fruitful results since bilateral diplomatic ties were established.
The comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries has provided an important driving force for bilateral cooperation, he said, adding that New Zealand will continue to adhere to the one-China policy.
New Zealand is willing to take the commemoration of the 10th anniversary of bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership as an opportunity to further strengthen high-level exchanges with China, Luxon noted.
Wang also held talks with New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters and met with Trade Minister Todd McClay yesterday.
(Xinhua)