Global EditionASIA 中文双语Français
World
Home / World / Asia-Pacific

China, NZ should safeguard world trade system, Wang Yi says

By ZHOU JIN | chinadaily.com.cn | Updated: 2018-05-25 19:45
Share
Share - WeChat
Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi (R) holds talks with Winston Peters, deputy prime minister and foreign minister of New Zealand, in Beijing, capital of China, May 25, 2018. [Photo/Xinhua]

China and New Zealand should jointly promote multilateralism, safeguard global free trade and investment and build an open world economy, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Friday.

Wang called for both sides to advance negotiations on an upgraded bilateral free trade agreement to fully realize potential in trade cooperation during a meeting with Winston Peters, deputy prime minister and foreign minister of New Zealand.

Bilateral cooperation between the two countries has created many "firsts" among relations of China and Western developed countries and plays an exemplary role, Wang said.

New Zealand was the first Western developed country to recognize China's full market economy status and to sign a bilateral free trade agreement with China in 2008.

China welcomes New Zealand to participate in the Belt and Road Initiative, Wang said, urging both sides to formulate specific cooperation plans and discuss further collaboration.

China and New Zealand signed a cooperation agreement on the Belt and Road Initiative during Premier Li Keqiang's visit to the country last year, making it the first developed country to sign such an agreement with China.

He also noted that both countries should expand exchanges and cooperation in education, science and technology, culture, tourism, and judicial enforcement.

Peters said that relations with China are always the priority of New Zealand diplomacy and it would like to enhance exchanges and expand bilateral cooperation.

New Zealand will participate in the first China International Import Expo to be held November in Shanghai, he said.

According to the website of the Foreign Ministry, the value of bilateral trade between China and New Zealand reached $14.48 billion last year. China is New Zealand's largest trading partner, export destination and source of imports.

Most Viewed in 24 Hours
Top
BACK TO THE TOP
English
Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site.
License for publishing multimedia online 0108263

Registration Number: 130349
FOLLOW US