Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said Tuesday that the economic relations between China, New Zealand and Australia are highly complementary.

Wen made the remarks when meeting with New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark and Australian Prime Minister John Howard on the sidelines of the 10th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit in Vientiane.

During his meeting with Clark, Wen said the economic and trade cooperation with New Zealand is growing fast. The economies of the two countries are complementary to one another.

The creation of a Sino-New Zealand free trade zone, which removes trade barriers on the basis of mutual benefit, will not only promote bilateral trade but also benefit the people of the two countries, he said.

Wen also called for an early start of negotiations on the Sino-New Zealand free trade agreement to inject new vigor to their economic and trade relations.

New Zealand has attached importance to its ties with China, which is a major economic and trade partner of New Zealand, said Clark.

The prime minister noted that she is pleased with the development of cooperation between the two sides, and is looking forward to furthering cooperation with China in all fields.

When meeting with Australian Prime Minister Howard, Wen said the Sino-Australia relations have witnessed smooth development and fruitful cooperation, which prove countries of different social system could coexist in an equal, peaceful and friendly way.

The two countries, which are highly complementary in economic ties, are important economic and trade partners, Wen said. There are still great potential in their cooperation.

China is willing to expand bilateral cooperation in energy and resources, and try to double their trade volume in five years, pushing forward the Sino-Australia economic and trade relations to a new height, Wen stressed.

He also called on Australia to give an objective and fair judgment on the Chinese economic achievement, and to create an equitable environment for bilateral trade, which could lead to a win-win deal.

Australia and China enjoy a solid relationship, Howard said. His country is dedicated to the development of the bilateral ties, especially in the economic and trade cooperation.

He said Australia understands concerns of the Chinese side, and he believes the related question will be solved.