Premier Wen Jiabao said on Monday the free trade agreement signed between China and New Zealand was of importance and profound significance.

Wen told New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark in their talks that the signing of the free trade accord "explored broad prospects for deepening mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries". He added the China-New Zealand ties were faced with important new development opportunity.

The two reached consensus to push the China-New Zealand comprehensive, friendly and cooperative relations to a new high.

Wen hailed the vigorous development of China-New Zealand relations in recent years, saying the practical cooperation in every area had made constant breakthroughs, bringing real benefits to the two peoples.

He noted the two nations shared broad common interests in promoting peace, stability and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region. Wen pledged China was ready to implement the annual meeting mechanism between the leaders of the two countries, strengthen consultation at all levels and consolidate the political basis for the bilateral relations.

Wen suggested the two sides make full use of complementary advantages in sustainable development areas, such as climate change, energy saving, environmental protection and low-carbon economy, foster new growing points in trade and economic cooperation, expand cooperation on culture, education, science, technology and justice, and increase communication and coordination on important international and regional issues.

Clark said since China was an important cooperation partner, New Zealand attached great importance to the bilateral relations from a strategic level. "New Zealand explicitly sticks to the one-China policy, advocates to enhance contact and cooperation with China and supports China in its efforts to play an active role in the world," she said.

On the FTA deal, Clark said New Zealand and the country's business circle would firmly support and earnestly carry out the agreement.

She added New Zealand was ready to maintain high-level exchanges with China, step up exchanges and cooperation in the spheres of goods, service trade, agriculture, stock-breeding, energy saving, environmental protection, culture and education, and increase consultation and cooperation between the two countries in the United Nations and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation.

After the talks, the two attended the signing ceremony of the free trade agreement and respectively delivered speeches.

(Xinhua News Agency April 8, 2008)