Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday exchanged congratulatory messages with New Zealand's Governor-General Cindy Kiro on the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

China and New Zealand are important partners, Xi said, adding that over the past 50 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, the bilateral ties have maintained healthy and stable development.

Cooperation between China and New Zealand in various fields has brought benefits to the peoples of both countries and contributed to regional peace, stability and prosperity, he said. 

Xi said he attaches great importance to the development of China-New Zealand relations, and is ready to work with Kiro to review the historical experience, strengthen strategic communication, and promote the China-New Zealand comprehensive strategic partnership to move forward and better benefit the peoples of both countries.

Kiro said that the New Zealand-China relationship is one of the most important bilateral relations of New Zealand. In the 50 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, New Zealand and China have made great achievements in the development of bilateral ties, she said. 

The New Zealand side values the long history of exchanges between the two countries and looks forward to further promoting cooperation between the two countries for the benefit of the two peoples and the world, she added.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang also exchanged congratulatory messages on Thursday with New Zealand's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern. 

Li said China attaches great importance to the development of bilateral relations and is willing to work with New Zealand to take the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties as a new starting point, strengthening communication, enhancing mutual trust, expanding exchanges, promoting cooperation, and achieving greater development of China-New Zealand relations.

Ardern said New Zealand sees China as a key part of regional prosperity and stability. On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, New Zealand looks forward to strengthening ties with China, deepening exchanges in economy, trade, people-to-people exchanges and other fields, and promoting cooperation on global challenges such as climate change, she said.