| President Hu Jintao Meets With Prime Minister of New Zealand Helen Clark |
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| 2004-11-28 15:29 |
On November 19, 2004, on the eve of the Informal APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) Summit, Chinese President Hu Jintao met with Prime Minister of New Zealand Helen Clark who came to participate in this meeting.
Hu said that China-New Zealand ties have maintained the good momentum of development in recent years. Bilateral high-level exchanges are ceaseless, mutual understanding is increasingly deepened and the exchanges and cooperation in various fields make new headways especially with fruitful results in economic and trade cooperation. He reaffirmed to Clark that China attaches importance to China-New Zealand ties and would like work together with New Zealand in pushing for in-depth development of all-round bilateral cooperation. Politically, the two countries should respect each other, treat each other as equals, enhance mutual trust and expand cooperation. Economically, the two sides should fully tap in potentials and continue exploring new areas. The feasibility research on the China-New Zealand bilateral free trade agreement has been finished recently and both sides can launch the negotiation on this agreement at the earliest date possible to pursue new growth points of cooperation in order to inject new vitality into bilateral ties. In international and regional affairs, China and New Zealand can continue strengthening communication, coordination and cooperation to jointly promote peace and development of the Asia-pacific region and the world as a whole. Hu Jintao also appreciated the government of New Zealand for following the one-China policy.
Clark noted that since President Hu visited New Zealand successfully last year, bilateral cooperation has scored a lot new progress. It is encouraging that both sides concluded the feasibility research on the free trade agreement smoothly and New Zealand highly comments on China?s conscientious attitude and stands ready to initiate related negotiations between the two countries as soon as possible. Clark also reiterated the government of New Zealand adheres to the one-China policy, holding that the separatist activities of ??Taiwan independence?? forces are an unstable factor across Taiwan Straits and all the countries following the one-China policy should clearly express opposition against ?Taiwan independence??.
The two sides also exchanged views on further strengthening China-New Zealand cooperation and coordination in the APEC and other issues of common interest.
(Information from Ministry of Foreign Affairs, PRC)
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Bilateral Visits