National flags of China and New Zealand on Tiananmen Square in Beijing on June 25, 2023 Photo: VCG

New Zealand's Trade Minister will visit China in April, as the two countries have reached broad consensus to deepen economic cooperation in various sectors during Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi's recent visit to New Zealand on Monday, Lin Jian, a spokesperson of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, said on Tuesday.

The two sides agreed to conduct inter-government talks on foreign policy, trade and climate change, while build up convenience for personnel exchange through new measures, Lin said at a regular press conference. 

And, the two countries agreed to further conduct high-level exchanges, Lin said.

In addition, the two sides will maintain active communication on China's joining the Digital Economy Partnership Agreement and Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, the spokesperson said.

As this year marks the 10th anniversary of the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership, Wang said that China is willing to work with the New Zealand to create more "firsts" for bilateral ties to remain in the lead among China's relationships with developed countries, and to greet a new decade with greater development potential, the spokesperson said.

Wang said China is ready to work with New Zealand to actively implement the upgraded version of the China-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA). The two sides should launch negotiations on the negative list of the service trade as soon as possible, so as to push bilateral cooperation to a new level,Wang said, while welcoming New Zealand's continuous participation of the Belt and Road Initiative.

China is ready to work with New Zealand to strengthen solidarity and cooperation, resist the Cold War mentality, unilateralism and protectionism, and safeguard the right direction of human progress, Wang said.

The New Zealand said China is an important partner for the country and New Zealand-China comprehensive strategic partnership provides strong impetus for bilateral cooperation. They said they will continue to adhere to the one-China policy, and expect that the two sides will further strengthen high-level exchanges and step up cooperation in areas including trade, culture and climate change, Lin said.