President Xi Jinping and Governor-General Jerry Mateparae during the welcoming ceremony held on July 21, 2015. (Photo : Xinhua)
Comprehensive strategic partnership--that is the aim of China and New Zealand as emphasized in an exchange between President Xi Jinping and Governor-General Jerry Mateparae on Tuesday, July 21. The Governor-General is currently on a state visit to China, and will be in the country until Friday, July 24.
According to President Xi, mutual respect and the principle of reciprocity will usher in renewed bilateral relationship between the two countries.
The Chinese president also urged Beijing and Auckland to strengthen communication and exchanges between all sectors of their society, as well as their respective governments and localities.
The two leaders also agreed on expanded cooperation in key sectors, such as new energy, food safety, agriculture, biological medicine, animal husbandry, scientific research, and even sports.
China and New Zealand's bilateral relationship can also be extended to advance defense cooperation through joint military exercises, defense consultation, high-level visits, as well as training and officer exchanges.
President Xi highlighted that the two nations should increase judicial cooperation in order to continue the crusade against transnational crimes.
On the other hand, Governor-General Mateparae expressed hopes of more political and economic dialogue between the two countries
For Xi, China and New Zealand are both important players in the Asia-Pacific region. As the two countries share the common interest of regional stability and development, China is open and willing to communicate and coordinate with New Zealand to strengthen their cooperation within Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)'s framework.
Globally, the two countries can work together to highlight issues, such as climate change, according to Mateparae. He added that his country is also willing to work with China in order to help island nations in the South Pacific region.
