Xi says China ready to join New Zealand for ties of mutual respect, tolerance, cooperation and development

Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with New Zealand's Prime Minister Christopher Luxon on the sidelines of the 31st APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Lima, Peru, Nov. 15, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhai Jianlan)

Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Friday that China is ready to join New Zealand in building a bilateral relationship featuring mutual respect, mutual tolerance, cooperation and common development.

Xi made the remarks while meeting with New Zealand's Prime Minister Christopher Luxon on the sidelines of the 31st APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting.

Xi pointed out that 10 years ago, during his visit to New Zealand, the two countries made the decision to establish a comprehensive strategic partnership. Over the past decade, China-New Zealand relations have been developing with a sound and steady momentum, which has significantly enhanced the well-being of the people of both countries and is well worth cherishing.

Xi said that China and New Zealand are both important members of the Asia-Pacific region with strong economic complementarities and mutual benefit. With no historical grievances or conflicts of fundamental interests, the two sides should regard each other as an opportunity and partner, rather than a challenge or threat, Xi noted, adding that differences between the two sides should be managed in a calm and practical manner, rather than allowing them to define the relationship.

Noting that China is ready to work with New Zealand to carry forward the spirit of "striving to be first," Xi called for building a bilateral relationship featuring mutual respect, mutual tolerance, cooperation and common development, so as to contribute to the development of both countries.

Xi stressed that China supports efforts from various sectors in both countries, including subnational levels, youth, media, and scholars, to strengthen bilateral exchanges through various means, thereby solidifying the foundation of friendship between the people of the two countries. China has included New Zealand in its visa-free policy and welcomes more friends from New Zealand to work and travel in China.

China is ready to work with New Zealand to strengthen coordination and cooperation within the United Nations, APEC, the World Trade Organization and other multilateral frameworks, jointly safeguarding peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region and the world, Xi added.

Luxon said that China is a great nation, noting that since President Xi's successful visit to New Zealand 10 years ago, bilateral ties have developed well and the bond between the two peoples has grown very strong.

He said that New Zealand is committed to continuously deepening the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries, firmly adhering to the one-China policy, and is willing to maintain high-level exchanges with China, as well as to comprehensively enhance cooperation in areas such as economy and trade, green development, and addressing climate change.

New Zealand looks forward to strengthening communication and cooperation with China within multilateral mechanisms such as APEC to jointly safeguard the freedom and openness of regional trade and promote regional prosperity and development, Luxon added.