The governments of China and New Zealand signed a number of agreements and documents today aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation in legal assistance, cultural exchange, and education and training.

 

The documents signed include a treaty on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters, a cultural exchange agreement, a protocol on veterinary and sanitary requirements for edible deer exports from New Zealand to China, and a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in education and training.

 

Visiting Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark, who held talks earlier today, were present at the signings.

 

The following decisions were also announced today:

 

1) Air New Zealand will open a direct route between Auckland and Shanghai;

 

2) New Zealand will participate in the 2010 Shanghai World Expo;

 

3) China and New Zealand will strengthen cooperation in fighting organized cross-border crimes.

 

Wen arrived in Wellington last night for an official visit, the third leg of his four-nation tour to Australia, Fiji, New Zealand and Cambodia.

 

This is the first official visit to New Zealand by a Chinese premier in nearly 18 years.

 

(Xinhua News Agency April 6, 2006)