Chinese President Hu Jintao said here on Friday the free trade agreement talks between China and New Zealand are of historic significance to bilateral ties and he expressed the hope the talks would be concluded at an early date.
Hu made the remarks during a meeting with New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark, in Australia's largest city on the sidelines of the Economic Leaders' Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, scheduled for Sept. 8-9.
The free trade agreement talks between China and New Zealand have played a positive role in pushing forward bilateral cooperation, Hu said. He hoped the two sides, in the spirit of mutual understanding and mutual accommodation, will continue to work to strive for an early conclusion of the talks.
The New Zealand prime minister said bilateral ties have made a series of progress in recent years, with the free trade talks going smoothly.
She hoped both sides will conclude the talks and sign an agreement at an early date.
During Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao's visit to New Zealand in April, the two sides agreed to conclude their free trade talks in one or two years.
At the meeting, Hu said, as important countries in the Asia-Pacific region, China and New Zealand hold identical or similar views on many key international issues.
The Chinese-New Zealand ties have witnessed sound development since the forging of diplomatic relations 35 years ago, indicating bilateral ties have a solid base and are full of vitality, Hu said.
The development of bilateral relations conforms to the fundamental interests of both countries and their peoples, and is conducive to peace, stability and prosperity of the region and the world at large, Hu added.
At present, the Chinese-New Zealand ties are facing important opportunities of development, Hu said.
China will develop bilateral ties from a strategic perspective and is ready to enhance friendly exchanges, increase political mutual trust, push forward pragmatic cooperation, in the spirit of "mutual respect, future-orientation and seeking win-win results of mutual benefit," Hu added.
"China is willing to push forward bilateral comprehensive ties of cooperation to a higher level," Hu said.
The two leaders also exchanged views on climate change and agreed to strengthen communication and consultations on the issue.
The Chinese president arrived here from Canberra on Wednesday to attend the annual APEC meeting. He is also on a state visit to Australia.
Source: Xinhua
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