On the morning of June 20, President Xi Jinping met in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing with Christopher Luxon, Prime Minister of New Zealand, who was on an official visit to China.

Xi Jinping noted that since the establishment of diplomatic relations over 50 years ago, the China-New Zealand relationship has withstood the test of the changing international situation. The two sides have always respected each other and advanced hand in hand. The bilateral relationship has long been at the forefront of China’s relations with Western developed countries, bringing tangible benefits to the people of both countries. As the China-New Zealand Comprehensive Strategic Partnership enters its second decade, the two sides should work together to promote greater development of the bilateral relationship in the new decade and better benefit the people of both countries.

Xi Jinping emphasized that China and New Zealand should place cooperation in a more prominent position in bilateral relations, give full play to their complementary advantages, deepen trade and investment cooperation, tap the potential for cooperation in such fields as scientific and technological innovation, climate change response and infrastructure, and strengthen exchanges in education, culture, youth, civil society and at local levels to enrich the connotation of bilateral relations. There are no historical grudges or fundamental conflicts of interest between China and New Zealand. The two sides should respect each other, seek common ground while reserving differences, and correctly view and handle the differences and disputes between the two countries. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War and the founding of the United Nations. As builders and defenders of the post-war international order, China and New Zealand should jointly safeguard the international system with the United Nations at its core, uphold the multilateral trading system with the World Trade Organization at its core, jointly safeguard international fairness and justice, and promote the development of the international order in a more just and reasonable direction.

Luxon said that the New Zealand-China relationship is of great significance. In 2014, President Xi Jinping visited New Zealand, and the two sides established a comprehensive strategic partnership. Under the strategic guidance of the leaders of the two countries, cooperation in various fields has flourished. New Zealand attaches great importance to its relationship with China, will continue to adhere to the One-China policy, and is willing to work with China to adhere to mutual respect and understanding, maintain high-level exchanges, expand the scale of trade and investment, deepen cooperation in agriculture, fisheries and dairy industries, and strengthen people-to-people and cultural exchanges in such fields as tourism and education, so as to promote greater development of the New Zealand-China relationship. The world today is full of uncertainties, and the international community expects China to play a greater role. New Zealand is willing to actively communicate and coordinate with China, safeguard the multilateral trading system, and jointly address global challenges. New Zealand supports China in hosting the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting next year.

Wang Yi attended the meeting.