The governments of China and New Zealand signed a number of
agreements and documents today aimed at strengthening bilateral
cooperation in legal assistance, cultural exchange, and education
and training.
The documents signed include a treaty on mutual legal assistance
in criminal matters, a cultural exchange agreement, a protocol on
veterinary and sanitary requirements for edible deer exports from
New Zealand to China, and a memorandum of understanding on
cooperation in education and training.
Visiting Chinese Premier Wen
Jiabao and New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark, who held
talks earlier today, were present at the signings.
The following decisions were also announced today:
1) Air New Zealand will open a direct route between Auckland and
Shanghai;
2) New Zealand will participate in the 2010 Shanghai World
Expo;
3) China and New Zealand will strengthen cooperation in fighting
organized cross-border crimes.
Wen arrived in Wellington?last night for an official visit,
the third leg of his four-nation tour to Australia, Fiji, New
Zealand and Cambodia.
This is the first official visit to New Zealand by a Chinese
premier in nearly 18 years.
(Xinhua News Agency April 6, 2006)