Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao meets New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark in Beijing on April 7, 2008. The two attended the signing ceremony of the free trade agreement and respectively delivered speeches.(Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    BEIJING, April 7 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said here on Monday the free trade agreement signed between China and New Zealand was of importance and profound significance.

    Wen told New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark in their talks that the signing of the free trade accord "explored broad prospects for deepening mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries". He added the China-New Zealand ties were faced with important new development opportunity.

    The two reached consensus to push the China-New Zealand comprehensive, friendly and cooperative relations to a new high.

    Wen hailed the vigorous development of China-New Zealand relations in recent years, saying the practical cooperation in every area had made constant breakthroughs, bringing real benefits to the two peoples.

    He noted the two nations shared broad common interests in promoting peace, stability and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region. Wen pledged China was ready to implement the annual meeting mechanism between the leaders of the two countries, strengthen consultation at all levels and consolidate the political basis for the bilateral relations.

    Wen suggested the two sides make full use of complementary advantages in sustainable development areas, such as climate change, energy saving, environmental protection and low-carbon economy, foster new growing points in trade and economic cooperation, expand cooperation on culture, education, science, technology and justice, and increase communication and coordination on important international and regional issues.

    Clark said since China was an important cooperation partner, New Zealand attached great importance to the bilateral relations from a strategic level. "New Zealand explicitly sticks to the one-China policy, advocates to enhance contact and cooperation with China and supports China in its efforts to play an active role in the world," she said.

    On the FTA deal, Clark said New Zealand and the country's business circle would firmly support and earnestly carry out the agreement.

    She added New Zealand was ready to maintain high-level exchanges with China, step up exchanges and cooperation in the spheres of goods, service trade, agriculture, stock-breeding, energy saving, environmental protection, culture and education, and increase consultation and cooperation between the two countries in the United Nations and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation.

    After the talks, the two attended the signing ceremony of the free trade agreement and respectively delivered speeches.

China, New Zealand sign FTA pact

    BEIJING, April 7 (Xinhua) -- China and New Zealand signed a free trade agreement, the first such pact between China and a developed country, on Monday.

    The deal was inked by Chinese Commerce Minister Chen Deming and New Zealand Trade Minister Phil Goff. Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and his New Zealand counterpart Helen Clark attended the signing ceremony after over-one-hour bilateral talks. Full story

New Zealand exporters welcome free trade deal with China

    WELLINGTON, April 7 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand exporters on Monday welcomed the historic Free Trade Agreement with China, praising its terms and forecasting soaring sales in the world's fastest-growing economy, New Zealand media reported.

    China and New Zealand signed the FTA in Beijing on Monday. It is the first comprehensive FTA China signed with a developed country. Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and visiting New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark witnessed the signing ceremony. Full story

Interview: Clark says China-NZ FTA "significant achievement"

    WELLINGTON, April 7 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark said the New-Zealand Free Trade Agreement provided a new platform for growing business and investment links with China, describing the signing as "a very significant achievement."

    In a written interview with Xinhua, Clark said the New Zealand-China ties have been in very good health since the two countries established full diplomatic relations in 1972. Both governments have worked to increase dialogue on a range of important regional and international issues. Full story

NZ PM: China-New Zealand FTA to promote bilateral relations 

    WELLINGTON, April 7 (Xinhua) -- Free Trade Agreement (FTA) signed between New Zealand and China will promote the bilateral relations between the two countries, said New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark on Monday.

    Clark witnessed the signing of the Free Trade Agreement between New Zealand and China in Beijing on Monday with her Chinese counterpart Wen Jiabao. Full story

China-New Zealand FTA to boost all-round development of trade ties

    WELLINGTON, April 6 (Xinhua) -- The China-New Zealand free trade agreement, to be singed in Beijing on Monday, will boost bilateral complementary and mutually beneficial trade ties, and enrich the content of "China-New Zealand comprehensive cooperative relations for mutual benefits and win-win situation in the 21st century.

    New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark, who pays a three-day official visit to China on Sunday, will witness the signing of FTA with his Chinese counterpart Wen Jiabao. A 150-member New Zealand trade delegation is heading for Beijing to attend the ceremony and seek business opportunities. Full story