Chinese President Hu Jintao (R) meets with New Zealand's Prime Minister Helen Elizabeth Clark in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, May 30, 2005. Clark arrived in Beijing on May 29 for a three-day working visit to China.

Chinese President Hu Jintao said in Beijing Monday China and New Zealand have continuously made new progress in advancing all-round cooperative relations between the two countries in recent years.

During a meeting with visiting New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Elizabeth Clark in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Hu said China and New Zealand have maintained a momentum for smooth, steady development of bilateral relations since they established diplomatic links.

Hu said the continuous expansion of bilateral relations is attributed to four major reasons.

The first is the high importance the two sides put on developing bilateral relations and the great effort they have taken to advance their links. The leaders of both countries have always proceeded from a strategic height to look at and advance bilateral relations, keeping to the general direction of the firm development of bilateral relations.

Hu said the second reason is that the two countries have respected and treated each other as equals. They have properly resolved differences through dialogue and consultations and paid due attention to each other's concerns, Hu said. The two sides have continuously expanded their common ground and enhanced mutual trust.

The third reason is mutually beneficial cooperation and common development, Hu said. The two sides have seen important opportunities in each other's development and treated each other as cooperative partners. As they deepen cooperation in traditional areas, the two countries have been actively exploring new areas of cooperation. Mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries has maintained sustained growth, Hu said.

Hu said the fourth reason is that the two countries have continuously strengthened communication and enhanced friendship. The two sides place importance on strengthening exchanges and cooperation in the humanities and culture by encouraging and supporting the people of the two countries to expand communication and deepen mutual understanding. Hu said the friendship between the two countries has taken deep root in the heart of the two peoples.

Hu said China is ready to join efforts with New Zealand to push China-New Zealand comprehensive cooperative relations to a new stage on the basis of successful experiences gained in the process of summing up and expanding bilateral relations.

Clark said New Zealand has made remarkable progress in advancing relations with China and reinforced the foundation of the relationship over the past few years. She said two-way trade and economic cooperation have been successful, with trade volume growing from time to time and free trade talks making positive progress.

Clark noted that the two countries have achieved rich fruits in educational and tourist cooperation and have experienced increased personnel exchanges.

She said there are no outstanding problems between New Zealand and China. New Zealand will work with China to continuously expand and deepen cooperation in all areas, Clark said.

Clark said New Zealand adheres to a one-China policy and opposes "Taiwan independence". Hu expressed appreciation for the stance of the New Zealand government on the Taiwan issue.

Source: Xinhua