China and New Zealand vowed in Beijing on Tuesday to push
forward their all-round cooperative ties on the occasion of 35th
anniversary of diplomatic ties.
"China would like to work with New Zealand to intensify
exchanges at various levels, and continuously deepen beneficial
cooperation," Vice Premier Zeng Peiyan told visiting Deputy Prime
Minister Michael Cullen.
Zeng noted that President Hu Jintao and New Zealand Prime
Minister Helen Clark had reached an important agreement on
bilateral ties during their meeting at the 15th Economic Leaders
Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC).
Cullen, who is also New Zealand's minister of finance and
tertiary education, said the relationship with China is one of the
most important bilateral ties for New Zealand.
New Zealand will continue exchanges and cooperation with China
in broad fields, he said.
Cullen reaffirmed New Zealand's firm adherence to the one-China
policy, opposing "Taiwan independence."
The two sides also agreed to further promote the free trade
agreement (FTA) talks between the two countries, and exchanged
views on the situation of Pacific islands, climate changes as well
as issues of common concern.
Cullen is paying an official visit to China from September 23 to
26at the invitation of Zeng.
(Xinhua News Agency September 26, 2007)
