Visiting Chinese President Hu Jintao met with New Zealand Prime
Minister Helen Elizabeth Clark in Auckland Sunday and the two
leaders candidly exchanged views on regional and international
issues of common concern and reached consensus on a number of
issues.
President Hu said relations between China and New Zealand have
developed well, with frequent exchange of visits by leaders of the
two countries, rapidly growing bilateral trade and steadily
expanding cooperation in education, tourism, technology,
environment protection and culture.
The smooth development in bilateral ties should be attributed to
the importance attached to the relationship by leaders of the two
countries and their correct understanding of the orientation of the
development of such ties, Hu said, noting that both sides are
committed to enhancing understanding and expanding common ground on
the basis of mutual respect, equality, and reciprocity.
Stressing that China attaches great importance to developing
ties with New Zealand, Hu said China is willing to expand
cooperation and further promote relations of all-round cooperation
with Wellington on the basis of mutual respect, equality and mutual
benefit, seeking common ground while reserving differences, and
common development.
To this end, Hu said, China is willing to maintain the momentum
of high-level exchanges of visits and give full play to the
existing consultation and dialogue mechanism so as to deepen mutual
trust and expand common interests.
In addition, he said, the two countries should strengthen
economic cooperation and trade, expand the areas of mutually
beneficial cooperation and enhance consultation and coordination on
regional and international issues with an eye on peace and
development in the Asia-Pacific region and the whole world at
large.
For her part, Clark spoke highly of the strong development
momentum and progress that the New Zealand-China ties have
witnessed, agreeing that the frequent political exchanges between
the two countries, the rapidly-developing bilateral trade and the
ever-expanding bilateral cooperation in education, technology,
agriculture and tourism have helped produce a vigorous
partnership.
She also noted that against the backdrop of an overall slowdown
in world economic growth, China's booming economy and expanding
market have made important contributions to boosting regional and
global economic growth.
Clark reiterated New Zealand's adherence to the one-China
policy.
Commending the role China has played in international affairs,
the prime minister vowed to enhance cooperation and consultation
with China in regional and international organizations and promote
a comprehensive development of friendly cooperation in all
fields.
After their talks, the two leaders attended the signing of three
agreements between China and New Zealand, including one on consular
affairs and another on scientific and technological
cooperation.
President Hu arrived here Saturday afternoon for a three-day
state visit after touring Australia and Thailand, where he also
attended the informal Economic Leaders' Meeting of the Asia-Pacific
Economic Cooperation forum.
(Xinhua News Agency October 27, 2003)