Xi hails 'unprecedented' China-NZ cooperation

Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) meets with New Zealand Prime Minister John Key in Beijing, capital of China, April 19, 2016. [Photo/Xinhua]

BEIJING -- Chinese President Xi Jinping met with New Zealand Prime Minister John Key on Tuesday, hailing "unprecedented" cooperation between the two nations.

Reviewing the great progress of bilateral relationship over the past 44 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties, Xi said China stands ready to work with New Zealand to seek further development of their comprehensive strategic partnership on the basis of mutual respect, equality and reciprocity.

Xi proposed the two sides enhance mutual trust, boost economic cooperation, promote people-to-people exchanges, elevate law-enforcement cooperation and increase military-to-military interactions.

According to Xi, China hopes to build a long-term agricultural partnership with New Zealand and Chinese companies look forward to participating in New Zealand's infrastructure construction.

"The two sides can join our development strategies and work together cultivate new growth points of cooperation in bio-medicine, energy-saving, environment protection and innovative industry," said the president.

Xi also looked forward to closer cooperation with New Zealand in the Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank and other multilateral mechanisms.

Echoing the president, Key said there is great opportunity for the development of the bilateral relationship.

The prime minister said New Zealand hopes to make joint efforts with China to speed up the negotiations to upgrade the free trade agreement between the two countries and deepen reciprocal cooperation in agriculture, tourism, education, law-enforcement and other sectors.

As the first Western country that has joined the Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank, New Zealand is willing to cooperate with China on regional economic integration, Key told the Chinese president.

The prime minister also voiced New Zealand's willingness to increase communication with China in international and regional affairs.