Common ground emphasized for ties with New Zealand

Editor's note: President Xi Jinping on Friday held bilateral meetings with foreign leaders on the sidelines of the ongoing 31st APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Lima, Peru.

President Xi Jinping called on Friday for building a China-New Zealand relationship characterized by mutual respect and mutual accommodation with focus on cooperation for shared growth during a meeting with New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon in Lima, Peru.

He emphasized that both China and New Zealand are important members of the Asia-Pacific region, with their economies strongly complementary and mutually beneficial.

Noting that the two countries have no historical grievances or conflicts of fundamental interests, Xi said that they should view each other as an opportunity and a partner, rather than a challenge or a threat.

Both sides should manage their differences in a calm and pragmatic manner, rather than letting differences define their relationship, he added.

Xi recalled his state visit to New Zealand in 2014, when the two countries decided to establish a comprehensive strategic partnership. Over the past decade, China-New Zealand relations have maintained the momentum of healthy and stable development and effectively enhanced the well-being of the two peoples, which is worth cherishing, he said.

Xi emphasized China's support for various sectors of both countries, including local governments, youth, media and scholars, to strengthen exchanges and solidify the foundation of friendship between the two peoples.

China already has included New Zealand in its visa-free policy, welcoming more New Zealand friends to work and travel in China, he said.

Xi expressed China's willingness to enhance coordination and cooperation with New Zealand within multilateral frameworks such as the United Nations, APEC and the World Trade Organization, to jointly safeguard peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region and the world.

Luxon said that New Zealand is committed to continuously deepening the comprehensive strategic partnership with China and that it firmly adheres to the one-China principle.

New Zealand is willing to strengthen communication and cooperation with China within multilateral mechanisms such as APEC to jointly uphold free trade and openness in the region and promote regional prosperity and development, he said.