On April 6, 2006, Premier Wen Jiabao of the State Council met respectively with New Zealand Governor-General Silvia Cartwright and National Party leader Don Brash in Wellington.

When meeting with Cartwright, Wen said that in recent years bilateral cooperation in all areas has scored fruitful achievements. During this visit, both sides defined the goal of developing comprehensive cooperative relations of mutual benefits in the 21st century, laying a solid foundation for further development of bilateral relations in the future.

Wen said that the sound development process of bilateral relations has proven that mutual respect, seeking common ground while reserving differences, equality, mutual benefits and peaceful coexistence are an important basis for bilateral relations, as well as an important principle for ensuring continuous development of such relations in the future. Development of bilateral relations not only conforms to interest of both sides, but also is conducive to peace and stability of Asia-Pacific region. China will look at and handle bilateral relations from a strategic and long-term perspective and would like to strengthen dialogue and cooperation with New Zealand. Wen emphasized that no doubt economic and trade cooperation is indispensable in bilateral relations, but cultural and educational exchanges are more important. If economic and trade cooperation represents the present day, cultural and educational exchanges mean the future. Through multiple forms of cultural and educational exchanges, understanding and friendship between the two peoples especially youths of both sides can be built up to ensure more in-depth and lasting development of bilateral relations.

Cartwright indicated that since the establishment of diplomatic ties 35 years ago, bilateral relations have been developing soundly. Premier Wen has made a success in his current visit and both countries have reached important consensus on developing comprehensive cooperative relations of mutual benefits in the 21st century, which will surely strongly push for further development of bilateral relations. Cartwright was delighted with these achievements. Both countries share a lot of common interest and can learn from each other. New Zealand would like to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with China in the areas of agriculture, animal husbandry, science & technology, culture and education. New Zealand welcomes more Chinese students to study there and encourages more of its students to study in China and gain a better understanding of its time-honored, splendid history and culture.

When meeting with Brash, Wen noted that currently bilateral relations enjoy sound development momentum with fruitful cooperation in all areas, which has brought tangible benefits to both peoples. During Wen's current visit to New Zealand, both sides reached important consensus on developing comprehensive cooperative relations of mutual benefits in the 21st century, which marks a new important milestone in development of bilateral relations.

Wen appreciated the National Party for actively committing to developing friendly cooperative relations with China over the years. He said that it was during the National Party administration that New Zealand took the lead among developed nations to reach bilateral agreement with China on its accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO). This shows that different parties of New Zealand share the same view on the issue of developing relations with China and bilateral friendship enjoys a solid basis. China would like to make joint efforts with people of New Zealand from all walks of life including the National Party to push bilateral relations to one new level after another.

Brash noted that the National Party adheres to the one-China principle, advocates strengthened cooperation between both sides, supports the two countries to reach the agreement on the free trade zone as soon as possible and would like to make efforts for promoting bilateral exchanges and cooperation. Brash would like to stress that no matter what party holds power in New Zealand, the policy to actively develop relations with China will not change.

On the afternoon of the same day, Wen met in the hotel where he stayed with the staff of the Chinese Embassy in New Zealand and representatives from Chinese-funded institutions, overseas Chinese and Chinese students studying there.