Carrying forward momentum of ties

Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and New Zealand in 1972, no matter how the international and regional situation has changed, the relationship has always maintained a healthy development momentum and it has been a steadying certainty in a fast-changing world.

The two countries are both important members of the Asia-Pacific region with strong economic complementarity and no historical grievances or conflicts of fundamental interests.

That they regard each other as an opportunity and partner, rather than a challenge or threat, was reinforced by the meeting between President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister of New Zealand Christopher Luxon in Lima, Peru, in November, in which the two leaders provided strategic guidance for the two countries to continue promoting sound and steady relations.

And during Premier Li Qiang's visit to New Zealand in June, the two sides reached broad common understandings on deepening practical cooperation to ensure their comprehensive strategic partnership produces more tangible benefits for the two peoples.

The series of high-level contacts are continuing with New Zealand's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Winston Peters paying a three-day visit to China, which started on Tuesday. There is huge potential to be tapped in bilateral economic and trade cooperation, and it is anticipated that his talks with his hosts will help advance the implementation of the common understanding reached between the leaders of the two countries and consolidate the sound trajectory of their relations.

A veteran politician, this is Peters' sixth official visit to China since his first in 1997 as deputy prime minister and treasurer. He is well-acquainted with China's development path as well as the close connections between that and the development of the Asia-Pacific region. The friendly familiarity between the two countries and peoples has been conducive to Wellington remaining removed from the China-targeted geopolitical games and cliques of some countries in the region under the guidance of Washington.

This year marks the 11th anniversary of the establishment of their comprehensive strategic partnership. As Vice-President Han Zheng said during his meeting with Peters in Beijing on Wednesday, China is willing to work with New Zealand to adhere to the correct direction, strengthen confidence in cooperation, enhance mutual understanding, promote the sustained, healthy and stable development of the comprehensive strategic partnership, and make more contributions to peace, stability, development and prosperity of the two countries and the region.

The wide-ranging, in-depth discussions between Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Peters are expected to highlight the two sides' shared willingness to step up strategic communication on bilateral relations and international and regional issues of mutual interest, enhance mutual understanding, and deepen their exchanges and cooperation.

China is also willing to strengthen coordination and cooperation with New Zealand, and to work with it in multilateral frameworks such as the United Nations, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation mechanism and the World Trade Organization to uphold the freedom and openness of regional trade.

It is the freedom and openness of regional trade that has significantly enhanced the well-being of people of both countries and the region at large. It is well worth cherishing.