Top legislator Wu Bangguo arrived in Wellington Wednesday for a four-day official goodwill visit to New Zealand aiming at promoting bilateral relations of all-round cooperation.

Wu, chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, was greeted at the airport by Prime Minister Helen Clark and other senior New Zealand officials.

In a written statement made upon arrival, Wu said New Zealand, an important country in the Asia-Pacific region, plays an increasingly important role in international and regional affairs.

"The past 33 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries have witnessed excellent development of bilateral relations, bringing tangible benefits to the two peoples and making positive contributions to peace and development in the Asia-Pacific region and the world at large," Wu said.

"The purpose of my visit is to push forward the existing friendship and cooperation between our two countries," he said.

Wu said New Zealand is the native land of Rewi Ally, a good friend of the Chinese people who have always cherished friendly sentiments toward the people of New Zealand.

During his visit, Wu will hold meetings or talks with New Zealand leaders for in-depth exchanges of views on deepening the relationship of comprehensive cooperation and on international and regional issues of common interest.

The senior Chinese leader will have extensive contacts with friends from various social circles to boost friendship between the two peoples.

Wu came here at the invitation of Margaret Wilson, speaker of the House of Representatives of New Zealand.

New Zealand is the third leg of Wu's four-nation Asia-Pacific tour, which will also take him to Malaysia. He has already visited Singapore and Australia.

(Xinhua News Agency May 26, 2005)