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President Jiang Meets NZ Governor-General
Chinese President Jiang Zemin Greets NZ Governor-General
The continued growth of friendship and cooperation between China and New Zealand conforms to the common aspiration and basic interests of the two peoples, and will serve to promote regional and global peace, stability and development, Chinese President Jiang Zemin said Thursday, November 30.
At a meeting with visiting Governor-General Michael Hardie Boys of New Zealand, Jiang said despite a long geographical distance, the two peoples have long-standing exchanges and friendship.
More than 100 years ago, Chinese immigrants traveled to New Zealand, where they had made a contribution to the development of New Zealand. In return, Rewi Alley and other New Zealand friends came to China since early this century and made great efforts to help the Chinese people in their struggle for liberation and development. The Chinese people will remember them, Jiang added.
He said that a deep friendship established in the course of exchanges between the two peoples is of invaluable wealth in bilateral relations, and also an important basis for the further development of bilateral ties.
President Jiang Meets NZ Governor-General
Jiang said that China-New Zealand relations have been developing steadily thanks to joint efforts since the diplomatic ties were forged in 1972. Cooperation in economic, trade, scientific and technological, educational, tourism and other areas have been expanding, and the two countries have also kept close consultation and cooperation in major regional and international affairs.
According to Jiang, the international situation has moved toward relaxation, with peace and development being the main themes of the times. However, the whole world is not quite peaceful, he pointed out, adding that China is willing to work with New Zealand to contribute to peace and development in the Asia-Pacific region and the world at large.
Boys said that he was happy that his long-awaited wish to visit China has come true, and his visit, the first ever state visit to China by a governor-general of New Zealand, is of significance to bilateral relations.
New Zealand is fully prepared to develop friendship and cooperation with China, he added.
He also spoke highly of China's rapid economic growth in a short time, and New Zealand is looking forward to China's entry into the World Trade Organization (WTO).
He said that some uncertainties still exist in the world. Although New Zealand is a small country, it is a responsible member of the international community. New Zealand places great importance on the role of the United Nations and other international organizations, and is willing to strengthen cooperation with China in international affairs.
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