On the morning of May 26, 2005, Chairman Wu Bangguo of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) of China, who was paying a good-will state visit to New Zealand, held talks with Prime Minister Helen Clark of New Zealand at Parliament Building of New Zealand. Both sides exchanged in-depth views on China-New Zealand relations and other important issues of common concern in a kind and friendly atmosphere and reached important consensuses.

Clark first expressed her welcome to Chairman Wu Bangguo for his visit. She said that the New Zealand side attaches great importance to Chairman Wu's visit. She believed that this visit would surely achieve important results.

Wu Bangguo expressed his appreciation and conveyed the cordial greetings of President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao to Clark. Wu Bangguo extended his wish in advance for the complete success of Prime Minister Clark's upcoming working visit to China.

Clark pleasantly reviewed the development process of New Zealand-China relations and sang high praise for China's economic development, which brings not only benefits for the Chinese people, but also important opportunities for the development of other countries. She said that the economies of New Zealand and China are highly complementary. It is conducive for both countries and peoples to developing the exchanges and cooperation in such fields as economy, trade, education, science, technology, culture and tourism.

Wu Bangguo said that since the establishment of the diplomatic ties 33 years ago, China-New Zealand relations have been developing smoothly. In recent years, the bilateral relations have demonstrated a sound momentum of comprehensive cooperation. Bilateral political relations have been growing steadily. Both countries have maintained frequent high-level contacts. The economic and trade cooperation has been developing rapidly. The mutual investment keeps growing. The exchanges in human culture are getting more and more active. Both sides have maintained sound communications and cooperation in international and regional issues. Wu Bangguo positively commented on the efforts of the New Zealand government to advance the development of bilateral relations since Clark took office as Prime Minister. He said that New Zealand is the first western country to sign the bilateral agreements with China concerning China's entry to the WTO, the first western country to acknowledge China's full market economy status and the first western country to launch the negotiations with China on bilateral free trade agreements. All these have fully demonstrated the priority given by the New Zealand government to developing China-New Zealand relations. We are grateful for it.

Wu Bangguo said that China and New Zealand are both important countries in the Asia-Pacific region. The economies of both countries are highly complementary and the cooperation potentials are enormous. Both sides possess extensive common interests in safeguarding regional peace and promoting regional development. The Chinese side attaches high importance to developing China-New Zealand relations and is willing to make joint efforts with New Zealand to deepen the comprehensive development of China-New Zealand relations in the spirit of mutual respect, equality, mutual benefits and seeking for common development. First, to maintain the momentum of high-level contacts and strengthen mutual political trust. Second, to deepen the mutually beneficial cooperation in the field of economy and trade, expand new areas of cooperation and explore new ways of cooperation. Third, to expand the exchanges and cooperation in such fields as science, technology, culture and tourism for common development. Fourth, to strengthen the coordination and cooperation in international and regional organizations and promote the peace and prosperity of the region and the world at large.

Talking of the Taiwan question, Clark reaffirmed that the New Zealand government has been consistent in pursuing the one-China policy and has never changed its position. Wu Bangguo expressed his appreciation and thanks for it.

At noon, Chairman Wu Bangguo and his wife attended the welcome luncheon held by Prime Minister Clark.

Re Di, Vice-Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) of China and other important accompanying staffs also attended the activities mentioned above.