Chinese Vice President Zeng Qinghong said in Beijing on February 28 that China is willing to explore new areas of cooperation, enhance dialogue and coordination on international and regional issues with New Zealand so as to further promote comprehensive cooperation between the two countries.

Zeng made these remarks at a meeting with Phil Goff, minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of New Zealand.

China and New Zealand have enjoyed growing exchanges and cooperation in the fields of politics, trade and economy since thetwo countries established diplomatic ties over 30 years ago, Zeng said.

In recent years, the two countries have maintained frequent high-level exchanges, along with strong cooperation in trade and economic fields and fruitful cooperation in other sectors, Zeng acknowledged.

Zeng appreciated the New Zealand government's adherence to the one-China policy, opposition to the so-called "Taiwan independence" and support for China's reunification cause.

Goff said that New Zealand and China have shared sound relations and their exchanges and cooperation are broad and in-depth.

He said Chinese leaders' recent visits to New Zealand stimulated bilateral ties, adding he hoped a free trade agreement between the two countries will be signed at an early date.

Goff stressed that the New Zealand government will unswervingly stick to the one-China policy and oppose to the "Taiwan independence".

Goff arrived in Beijing on Sunday for a two-day visit to China as guest of Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing.

Over the past few years, China-New Zealand trade have kept increasing.

Bilateral trade topped 2.491 billion US dollars in 2004, up 36.4 percent from a year earlier.