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Vice Foreign Minister Xie Feng Holds New Round of China-New Zealand Foreign Policy Consultations with New Zealand's Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Trade Chris Seed

2022-03-04 22:50

On March 2, 2022, Vice Foreign Minister Xie Feng co-chaired a new round of China-New Zealand foreign policy consultations with New Zealand's Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Trade Chris Seed via video link.

Xie Feng said, this year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and New Zealand. Over the past half century, China-New Zealand relations have registered many "firsts" and set a model of mutually beneficial cooperation between countries that are different in social system, history, culture, stage of development and economic size. In November last year, President Xi Jinping had a successful phone conversation with Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and reached important consensus on the sound and steady development of China-New Zealand relations under the new circumstances. We should follow through on the consensus between the leaders of the two countries, and take stock of the experience and rules on bilateral relations maintaining sound and stable development. We should uphold mutual respect, setting an example of enhancing mutual trust between countries with different social systems. We should uphold mutual benefit and reciprocity, setting an example of win-win cooperation between countries in different stages of development. We should uphold seeking common ground while reserving differences, setting an example of solidarity and collaboration between countries of different sizes.

Xie Feng said, China is ready to work with New Zealand to make good preparations for celebration events marking the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties, make full use of the protocol on upgrading the China-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement, continuously consolidate political mutual trust, expand practical cooperation, enhance people-to-people and cultural exchanges, so as to elevate China-New Zealand comprehensive strategic partnership to new heights. In the face of increasing uncertainties and mounting challenges in the current international landscape, China and New Zealand, both important members of the international community, should stay committed to independent foreign policies, strengthen communication and coordination in multilateral affairs, actively promote regional economic integration, and join hands to tackle climate change and other global challenges, so as to make more positive contributions to world peace, stability and prosperity.

Seed said, New Zealand attaches great importance to the New Zealand-China comprehensive strategic partnership, adheres to the one-China policy and lists relations with China as one of its diplomatic priorities. Since the establishment of diplomatic ties 50 years ago, New Zealand-China relations have made remarkable progress that captured the attention of the world, and New Zealand looks forward to working with China to properly plan and implement relevant celebrations. Despite differences in social system, history and culture, the two countries have accumulated effective methods to properly handle differences and focus on cooperation. New Zealand and China are highly complementary in economic structure. Despite the impact of the pandemic, bilateral trade volume continued to grow last year, bucking the overall downward trend. New Zealand is ready to work with China to implement the protocol on upgrading the China-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement, strengthen institutional dialogue and exchanges between counterpart departments of the two countries, and expand cooperation in economy and trade, agriculture, science and technology, education, tourism, environmental protection, and other fields. New Zealand stays committed to the tradition of independent diplomacy and stands ready to strengthen communication and coordination with China within multilateral frameworks, and continuously broaden the connotations of bilateral relations.

Seed congratulated China on successfully hosting the Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022 and thanked China for making thoughtful arrangements for the New Zealand delegation to participate in the Games in China. Xie Feng congratulated the New Zealand athletes on their excellent performance in the Games.

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

Both sides agreed that this round of consultations, featuring rich content and in-depth communication, was very constructive, and both sides looked forward to face-to-face exchanges as soon as possible after the pandemic.

    

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