Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said in Singapore on Tuesday that
China is willing to further develop political exchanges and
economic and trade cooperation with New Zealand.
The two countries will also deepen cooperation in regional and
international issues, Wen said.
Wen made the remarks while meeting with New Zealand Prime
Minister Helen Clark on the sidelines of the on-going 13th ASEAN
Summit here.
On the issue of free trade zone between the two countries, Wen
said the negotiation over the issue is of strategic significance to
the bilateral relations and is an important step to develop
all-round cooperative relations between China and New Zealand in
the 21st century.
He expressed hope that an agreement will be reached within the
year.
During the meeting, Clark said that to establish a free trade
zone with China is a strategic policy of New Zealand, which is
ready to make greater efforts to complete the negotiation as
scheduled.
Clark said her country will continue to adhere to the One-China
policy and will not support any activities of "Taiwan
independence," which gained appreciation from Premier Wen.
(Xinhua News Agency November 21, 2007)
