"China will become biggest market for New Zealand in the near future", said the New Zealand Prime Minister Hon. Helen Clark when being interviewed by People's Daily delegation headed by the Deputy Editor-in-Chief Mr. Jiang Shaogao in her office in Wellington August 2, 2004.

For recent years, China and New Zealand have enjoyed an ever-growing relationship with more frequent exchanges of high-level officials, deepened cooperation in economy and trade and expanded cooperation in other areas. New Zealand is the first country to sign the bilateral agreement on China's accession to WTO and among the first to recognize the market economy status of China.

When asked about the economic relationship between China and New Zealand, she said, "New Zealand sees China with huge potential in every area. We look at our relationship as a whole and try to build a well-round cooperation, which is not only in business, but also in education, tourism, diplomatic contacts, regional cooperation, etc."

"We see China as an ever-increasing role in our future. China is now the 4th biggest market for New Zealand. But China will be biggest market in a not very far away future." She continued.

As for the signing of the Trade and Economic Cooperation Framework with China, she commented, " It's highly significant." An example she cited is from a major company in New Zealand, which decided to undertake investment in China because of the sound economic relationship between these two countries and their confidence in the future.

In terms of the Free Trade Agreement between China and New Zealand, which is to begin the negotiation process next year, she said it will be beneficial for New Zealand and the two countries will work on the elimination of tariffs.

When asked about lessons of New Zealand in the process of economic development, she said, "The major lesson from New Zealand's experience is that we protect our economy too much for too long, which leads to major economic crisis in early 1980s." She suggested that a country should go on a gradual path of liberalization, otherwise it would face difficulties in a competitive world.

In terms of international economy, she said, "The greatest interest is in East Asia, particularly China." Malaysia and India are important and need attention too.

As for the issue of education, she stresses the importance of education exchange, saying, " It is not on a commercial term but for the good relationship between countries and peoples. New Zealand has put in place many new requirements to improve education qualities and to ensure all students good experience."

She also mentioned the New Zealand's Minister of Education visited China three times in recent 15 months to talk with Chinese officials. "We determined to do the very best we can to provide good experience for Chinese students." She said.

When asked about terrorism issue and the war on Iraq, she expressed the concern on the safety of the world, saying, "Right now the world is very dangerous. We all need to consider how to make it a safer place."

"Obviously, terrorism is a very serious problem and to combat it we not only have military dimension but also other dimensions as well." She raised more dimensions that may help to solve the problem of terrorism, such as shortening the gap between the west and the Islamic world, diplomatic contacts, trade, cultural exchanges. She also mentioned if the Israeli and Palestinian conflict would be resolved, it would have a dramatic impact on terrorism.

With respect to the war on Iraq, she stated their stand, "We didn't support the war. We now follow the lead given by the UN resolutions to see how we can help with the transition back to full Iraqi sovereignty.

By Wen Yufang, People's Daily staff reporter