On the afternoon of March 27, 2017 local time, Premier Li Keqiang met in the hotel where he stayed with Leader of the Labor Party Andrew Little of New Zealand in Wellington.

Li Keqiang expressed that in recent years, China and New Zealand have enjoyed sound development of bilateral relations, and achieved fruitful outcomes from practical cooperation in various fields, which helps the common development and benefits the two peoples. China attaches importance to its relations with the New Zealand Labor Party, and is willing to join hands with the government and all circles of New Zealand to take the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries as an opportunity to actively promote the upgrade negotiation on bilateral free trade agreement, expand two-way opening-up in economy, trade and investment, provide more convenient business environment for each other, and tap cooperation potential in agriculture and animal husbandry, infrastructure, services and other areas. It is hoped that both countries could carry out various forms of inter-party exchanges, strengthen experience exchange in state governance and administration, and intensify cooperation in people-to-people and cultural engagement and other fields, so as to push China-New Zealand relations for new progress.

Andrew Little noted that Premier Li Keqiang’s visit this time embodies the high level of the development of New Zealand-China relations. The New Zealand administration and all political parties highly value the relationship with China. Bilateral practical cooperation in economy, trade, tourism and other fields brings tangible benefits to the two peoples. The Labor Party appreciates China’s important role in promoting free trade and strengthening international cooperation. It is believed that the upgrade negotiation on New Zealand-China free trade agreement will create more mutually beneficial opportunities and outcomes. The Labor Party is ready to constantly make positive efforts to advance the development of bilateral relations and cooperation at all levels and in various fields.