Visiting Chinese President Hu Jintao met with New Zealand
business leaders and National Party leader Bill English on Monday
afternoon, and exchanged views on strengthening cooperation between
China and New Zealand.
During his meeting with New Zealand business leaders, Hu first
briefed them on China's situation and tasks in reform and
opening-up and pledged to further open up to the outside world.
Hu said China will continue to improve laws and regulations
governing business transactions with foreigners, in accordance with
international practice and its commitments on joining the World
Trade Organization. It would open up more fields and continue to
strengthen market systems building and protection of intellectual
property rights.
All the moves were aimed at creating an open, orderly, credible
and unified market that could secure fair competition and provide
better conditions for foreign investment.
On further economic and technology cooperation between the two
countries, Hu raised a four-point proposal: expanding cooperation
in such traditional trade fields as electro-mechanics, wool, pulp
and dairying; exploiting cooperation in technology, education,
tourism and other services; promoting mutual investment and
encouraging New Zealand companies to invest in China's western and
northeastern regions.
Asia Foundation President Sir Dryden Spring, Carter Holt Harvey
CEO Peter Springford and Fonterra CEO Andrew Ferrier briefed
President Hu on their cooperation with China. They said Hu has
depicted an inspiring prospect for New Zealand-China economic and
trade cooperation.
Other business leaders present at the meeting also expressed
their belief that the sustained development of China will surely
bring great opportunities for closer cooperation between the
business circles in the two countries.
During his meeting with English, Hu said China and New Zealand
are enjoying good development in their relations, with friendly
exchanges between the two countries, expanding cooperation in
economy and trade, education and tourism enhancement, which have
brought about practical benefits to the two peoples.
President Hu also expressed his appreciation for the National
Party's friendly policy toward China. He said frequent exchanges of
visits between the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the National
Party have helped enhance mutual understanding between the two
peoples and push forward bilateral relations.
The CPC is willing to further strengthen friendly exchanges with
the National Party for closer friendship and cooperation, Hu
said.
For his part, English said his party supports the policy of
cementing ties with China adopted by the New Zealand government,
and is willing to have exchanges with the CPC so as to contribute
to the all-round cooperation between the two countries.
Hu has wound up his three-day visit to New Zealand and left for
home. Before traveling to New Zealand, he visited Thailand and
Australia.
In Bangkok, he also attended the 11th Economic Leaders' Meeting
of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum.
(Xinhua News Agency October 28, 2003)