The prime minister of New Zealand met with both President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao in Beijing yesterday.

Helen Clark, who is here on a three-day visit, said her government hopes a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with China can be reached at an early date, and that remarkable progress has been made in advancing relations in recent years.
   
"It is China and New Zealand's common need to carry out economic, trade and technology cooperation, which has good prospects because our two economies are compatible," said Wen.

Hu said China is ready to push comprehensive cooperative relations to a new level on the basis of successful experiences gained in the process of consolidating and expanding bilateral relations.
   
Wen told Clark that China will enhance political trust and positively and prudently push forward the FTA talks along with New Zealand in line with mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit.

China and New Zealand started FTA talks last December, seven months after New Zealand recognized China's full market economy status. Up to now, three rounds of talks have been held.
 
Wen said China will further enhance cooperation with New Zealand on agriculture, animal husbandry, forestry, energy, and resource exploration and development, and expand exchanges in education and culture. Meanwhile, the two countries should also enhance consultation and coordination on major regional and international issues.
   
Clark said relations between New Zealand and China are "comprehensive and cooperative" with sound cooperation in trade and economy, education, science and technology.
   
New Zealand also hopes to enhance cooperation in cultural areas and to discuss signing a cooperative pact for the better understanding and friendship between the two countries' peoples, according to diplomatic sources.

Clark said New Zealand adheres to the one-China policy and opposes "Taiwan independence," for which Hu and Wen both expressed appreciation.

(Xinhua News Agency May 31, 2005)