China favors more exchanges with New Zealand

CHINA / Wen in New Zealand

 China favors more exchanges with New Zealand
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2006-04-07 10:07

WELLINGTON -- Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao saidhere Thursday that China and
New Zealand should facilitate understanding and friendship between their
peoples through cultural and educational exchanges to ensure a steady
development of bilateral relationship.

Wen, who is here on an official visit, made the remarks at a meeting with
New Zealand Governor-General Silvia Cartwright.

Wen said the growth of China-New Zealand relations is not only in the
interests of the two countries but also conducive to the peace and
stability in the Asia-Pacific region.

Therefore, China will handle the bilateral relationship from a strategic
and long-term perspective and is willing to increase dialogue and
cooperation with New Zealand, he added.

Although economic and trade cooperation is indispensable elements in
bilateral ties, cultural and educational exchanges areall the more
important, the Chinese leader said.

If economic and trade cooperation represents the present day, cultural
and educational exchanges represent the future, he said.

Cultural and educational intercourse, conducted in various forms, could
foster understanding and friendship between the two peoples, the young
peoples in particular, the premier said.

Congratulating Wen on his successful visit to New Zealand, Cartwright
echoed the Chinese premier's comments on how to improvebilateral
relations.

New Zealand and China share many common interests and should learn and
draw lessons from each other's experiences, she said, adding that her
country is ready to increase exchanges and cooperation with China in such
fields as agriculture and animal husbandry, science and technology,
culture and education.

She said New Zealand welcomes more Chinese students to study here and
will encourage more New Zealand students to study in China to learn its
splendid history and culture.

Wen, who is the first Chinese premier to pay an official visit to the
island country, on Thursday also met New Zealand Oppositionor National
Party leader Don Brash.

Premier Wen appreciated the efforts made by the National Party in
fostering friendly cooperation with China, saying that it was during the
ruling of the National Party that New Zealand became the first developed
country to conclude negotiations with China over her entry into the World
Treaty Organization (WTO).

Wen said China is willing to make joint efforts with all parties in New
Zealand, including the Opposition, to further improve the bilateral
relationship.

Brash said his party adheres to the one-China policy, advocates closer
bilateral ties, and supports an earlier agreement on a freetrade
agreement between the two countries.

No matter which party is in power, there will be no change in New
Zealand's policy to develop relations with China, he said.

Most Commented/Read Stories in 48 Hours

Today's Top News 

 China launches a shopping spree in the United States

 Official: EU penalties on Chinese shoes a lose-lose decision

 Wary Iraqis steer clear of US troops

 China, NZ to step up pace of FTA talks

 Negotiator in bid to resume 6-party talks

Top China News 

 China appeals Japan's positive response to mend ties

 Hu to meet Lien and KMT delegation

 Major changes unlikely on foreign firms' taxes

 China orders cleanup of 20 chemical plants

 China, Armenia to boost military exchanges

20071123 Extracted from http://www.hellomandarin.net