Chinese Premier Li Keqiang's visit to New Zealand is of great significance to the promotion of the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries in a new era, Chinese Ambassador to New Zealand Wang Lutong said in a published article.
At the invitation of New Zealand's Prime Minister Bill English, Li kicks off a four-day official visit to the oceanic country on Sunday, marking the first visit by a Chinese premier in 11 years.
The visit also comes at the 45th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral relations.
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang attends a welcome dinner party hosted by overseas Chinese in Australia at Sydney City Hall on March 25, 2017. Li flies to New Zealand after his visits to Australia. /China State Council Photo
Bilateral economic and trade cooperation has great potential, said Wang, adding that the two countries could further strengthen collaboration in food processing, emerging industries, sci-tech innovation, environmental cooperation, large mechanical and electrical products, and telecommunication.
Practical cooperation in various fields between China and New Zealand has made remarkable progress, with bilateral trade exceeding 20 billion New Zealand dollars (14.08 billion US dollars) last year, up nearly five percent year on year, Wang wrote, adding that the two sides are working to bring the volume up to 30 billion New Zealand dollars (21.12 billion US dollars) by 2020.
Wang said China hopes New Zealand's government will provide a more open, fair, and more transparent investment and operation environment for Chinese enterprises investing in New Zealand, so as to lay a more solid foundation for the two nations to further expand their practical cooperation.
The city of Wellington, New Zealand. /CFP Photo
In addition, Wang wrote New Zealand is a "natural extension" of the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, so China welcomes New Zealand to participate in building the Belt and Road.
Meanwhile, in a signed article published prior to Premier Li Keqiang's official visit to New Zealand, the country's Ambassador to China, John McKinnon, described the relationship between the two countries as a genuine friendship and a trailblazing partnership and expected the two sides to further expand their cooperation.
"Since our two countries established diplomatic relations 45 years ago, New Zealand's relationship with China has broadened and matured. Our economic horizons have become intertwined and our people have learned much from one another," McKinnon wrote in the article.
