Chairman Wu Bangguo of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) who was paying an official good-will visit to New Zealand met with Mayor of uckland Hubbard

On May 27, 2005, Chairman Wu Bangguo of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) who was paying an official good-will visit to New Zealand met with Mayor of Auckland Dick Hubbard.

Wu noted it is a pleasure to visit Auckland, saying that Auckland is the industrial, financial, transport and educational center of New Zealand and plays an increasingly important role in developing China-New Zealand relations. We are glad to see in recent years the bilateral exchanges and cooperation in such fields as economy and trade, education, culture and tourism get increasingly dynamic and Auckland's friendly exchanges with Guangzhou city and Shanghai port continue to deepen. Wu expressed hope that the two sides make use of their advantages respectively to strengthen the mutually beneficial cooperation and enrich the content of and inject energy into the all-round development of bilateral ties.

Wu said that to strengthen the exchanges among the youth is of special importance to developing the bilateral relations. At present the number of overseas Chinese studying in Auckland is fairly big. Those students on the one hand can study knowledge and on the other hand can help increase the understanding and friendship between the two peoples, especially the youth of the two countries. He expressed gratitude to the Auckland municipal government for its help to the overseas Chinese students and the hope that the government would continue to take care of the study and life of overseas Chinese students, ensure they receive high quality education and protect their personal safety and legitimate right and interest.

Hubbard first of all extended congratulations on the complete success of Chairman Wu Bangguo's visit to New Zealand, noting that the Auckland city and people cherish the friendly relations with China and the Chinese people very much and expect to strengthen mutual understanding and friendship, expand exchanges and cooperation in such fields as economy and trade, education, culture and tourism and contribute to strengthening New Zealand-China relations. He indicated that the Auckland government will continue to pay full attention to the Chinese living and the Chinese students studying in Auckland and create better environment and conditions for their work, study and life.

On the afternoon, Wu also visited Navman, a company well-known for research and production of satellite positioning system and met with all the staffs of the Chinese Consulate General in Auckland and representatives of Chinese-funded enterprises, oversea Chinese and oversea Chinese students. Re Di, Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of NPC participated in the above activities.

Wu left Wellington for Auckland by a special plane on the morning of May 27.