China is ready to work with New Zealand to utilize the potential of trade in services and expand interaction in sectors such as next-generation electric vehicles, photovoltaic systems, and wind energy, stated Chinese Premier Li Qiang during a phone call with New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon on Monday.
Li noted that relations between China and New Zealand maintain a stable and confident pace, with new progress achieved in various areas. He emphasized that the international situation remains complex and constantly changing, as the global economy continues to face pressure from unilateralism and protectionism.
He added that the international community's demands for the protection of the multilateral system, as well as strengthening openness and cooperation, are becoming increasingly prominent. As proponents of multilateralism and free trade, China and New Zealand should enhance communication and coordination.
Mentioning that the countries will celebrate the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations next year, Li stated that China is prepared to continue traditional friendship with New Zealand, expand mutually beneficial cooperation, and deepen comprehensive strategic partnership, injecting fresh momentum into the stability, development, and prosperity of both countries, the region, and the world.
The Premier stressed China's readiness to support a partnership with New Zealand based on mutual respect, the pursuit of mutual benefit, and win-win cooperation. He called on both sides to scale up and improve the quality of bilateral trade in goods, leverage the potential of trade in services, and develop cooperation in areas such as next-generation electric vehicles, photovoltaic systems, and wind energy to achieve more tangible results.
Li expressed hope for accelerating negotiations on the negative list within the Free Trade Agreement between China and New Zealand, as well as achieving substantial progress in the near future. Furthermore, he advised the two countries to promote people-to-people exchange and deepen cultural, tourism, and educational exchanges, as well as youth and sub-national structural interactions to strengthen friendly ties between peoples.
As members of the Asia-Pacific family, China and New Zealand should also strengthen cooperation within the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and actively promote the building of an Asia-Pacific community.
For his part, Christopher Luxon stated that New Zealand-China relations are developing steadily, and practical cooperation is advancing in various fields, benefiting the peoples of both countries. New Zealand highly values its relationship with China and firmly adheres to the One China policy.
Luxon also expressed willingness to use the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations next year to enhance high-level meetings with China, deepen mutual understanding and trust, and improve practical cooperation in trade, tourism, new energy, and other areas to advance comprehensive strategic partnership. He also supported New Zealand's participation in the China-led APEC Leaders' Summit. Both sides also exchanged views on common international and regional concerns.
