On the morning of March 27, 2017 local time, Premier Li Keqiang held talks with Prime Minister Bill English of New Zealand at the Premier House in Wellington.

Li Keqiang said that since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and New Zealand 45 years ago, the two sides have upheld the principles of mutual respect and equal cooperation, established a high level of political mutual trust and achieved fruitful results from practical cooperation. Bilateral relations and cooperation have long been at the front of the relations between China and the Western developed countries, which serves as a model of getting along with each other between countries with different national conditions and different stages of development. China is willing to, together with New Zealand, continue to enhance political mutual trust, intensify exchanges at all levels and expand practical cooperation to elevate China-New Zealand comprehensive strategic partnership to new highs.

Li Keqiang pointed out that the development strategies between China and New Zealand features high fitness and prominent complementary advantages. China is willing to work with New Zealand to deepen cooperation potential to build the "1+3" upgraded version of cooperation pattern. This means to create an upgraded version of free trade area, further expand trade and investment openness as well as raise the level of economic and trade cooperation. It also means to use the strategic alignment of development strategies, the driving force of innovation, and the agriculture and animal husbandry cooperation as three major growth drivers to provide multiple supports to cooperation between both countries. China and New Zealand should enhance cooperation under the "Belt and Road" initiative to provide new opportunities for enterprises of the two countries, strengthen joint research and information sharing, guide cooperation of new forms and business models as well as expand cross-border electronic commerce cooperation. Both countries should enhance cooperation in coping with climate change, expand cooperation in the whole industry chain of agriculture and animal husbandry with high technology and added value, strengthen cooperation in tourism and education, facilitate personnel exchanges, build a new pillar for people-to-people and cultural exchanges and enhance cooperation in justice and law enforcement.

Li Keqiang emphasized that the current international situation is complex and ever-changing with the rise of anti-globalization and protectionism. As advocators and beneficiaries of economic globalization and regional integration, China and New Zealand should join hands to uphold the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, firmly promote the process of globalization, jointly build an open world economy, hold high the banner of free trade, strengthen cooperation under the framework of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank as well as accelerate and advance the negotiation on Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), so as to play an positive role in the economic growth of Asia-Pacific and the world as well as regional peace, stability, and prosperity.

Bill English said that since the establishment of diplomatic relations between New Zealand and China 45 years ago, the two countries have witnessed sound development of bilateral relations with ever-strengthening cooperation and increasingly deeper mutual understanding between the two peoples. New Zealand is proud that China-New Zealand relations have achieved many "firsts". The maintenance of high-level exchanges is of great importance to promote bilateral relations. Both sides announced to launch an upgraded negotiation on China-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement, which will send a positive signal of jointly supporting for the free and open trade to the international community and it will benefit the two peoples. New Zealand appreciated the Chinese government's efforts in effectively coping with economic risks and ensuring stable economic growth. New Zealand adheres to the one-China policy, supports the "Belt and Road" cooperation and welcomes China to expand investment in New Zealand. The country commits to further promoting cooperation in such fields as economy, trade, science, technology and judicial enforcement, vigorously expand people-to-people and cultural exchanges, consolidating cooperation foundation, and strengthening coordination and cooperation on climate change, South Pacific Cooperation, Asia Pacific free trade arrangements and other regional and global issues.

The two sides also exchanged in-depth views on international and regional issues of mutual concern.

After the talks, Premier Li Keqiang and Prime Minister Bill English witnessed the signing of multiple bilateral cooperation documents covering economy, trade, culture, education, science, technology, customs, tourism and other areas.

Before the talks, Prime Minister Bill English held a grand welcoming ceremony for Premier Li Keqiang on the lawn of the Government House, Wellington. The ceremony started with traditional Mori's welcoming dance to greet distinguished Chinese guests coming from afar. Afterwards, Premier Li Keqiang stepped on the reviewing stand, accompanied by a 19-gun salute. Li Keqiang then inspected the guard of honor with Chinese national anthem playing and the two countries' flags waving in the wind.

Mme. Cheng Hong, wife of Premier Li Keqiang, along with Mary English, wife of Prime Minister Bill English, attended the welcoming ceremony.