Chinese Vice Premier Wu Yi on Monday expressed the hope that China and New Zealand will further increase their trade and economic cooperation.  

In a meeting with Jim Sutton, New Zealand minister for trade negotiations, and his party in Beijing Monday, Wu said that the successful state visit of President Hu Jintao to New Zealand last October has greatly promoted the all-round growth of the bilateral ties, including trade and economic ties, between the two countries.

She expressed her appreciation for New Zealand's active economic and trade exchanges and cooperation with China and the importance it attaches to China's economic development.

The two countries are highly complementary in economy and ready to further expand their trade and economic relations, Wu said, expressing the belief that with joint efforts, the Sino-New Zealand friendly ties will record greater progress.

Acknowledging that New Zealand is willing to beef up its cooperation with China and implement the consensus reached between their leaders, Sutton said he believed that trade and economic cooperation between the two nations will be further enhanced.

(Xinhua News Agency February 10, 2004)