Wang Yi meets via video link with New Zealand Foreign Minister Nanaya Mahutta

On June 22, 2021, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with New Zealand Foreign Minister Nanaya Mahuta by video link.

Wang noted that China and New Zealand are comprehensive strategic partners and there is no past grudge or current conflict between the two sides. In recent years, China-New Zealand relations have generally developed smoothly, and their dialogue and cooperation in various fields have grown vigorously. China attaches great importance to its relations with New Zealand, cherishes the mutual trust between the two sides, and is willing to join forces with the New Zealand side to continue to display a pioneering spirit, setting an example to follow. Mutual respect and win-win cooperation countries of different sizes and different social systems, contribute to improving the well-being of the two peoples and promoting regional peace and stability. He called on the two sides to highlight the advanced version of the China-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement, to speed up negotiations and conclude the cooperation plan outlined under the “Belt and Road Initiative.” To create new growth poles for cooperation in such areas as clean energies, circular economy and scientific and technological innovation, and to promote the qualitative development of bilateral cooperation. Wang said he hoped the New Zealand side would guarantee the legal rights and interests of companies in all countries, including those in China. China will take the opportunity presented by the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries next year to conduct more cultural and people-to-people exchanges. Mr. Wang welcomed the participation of New Zealand athletes in the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics in China.

Wang noted that the CPC will soon celebrate its centenary, an occasion worthy of rejoicing by all 1.4 billion Chinese, and that China intends to share this joy with the New Zealand Party. Under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, the Chinese people made a huge leap from a rising nation to a prosperous country and then to a powerful country, creating two “miracles” of rapid economic development and social stability. In the long run, and “two new miracles” the “miracles” of containing the COVID-19 epidemic first and completely eradicating extreme poverty. Unlike some western countries that achieved their development through colonization and pillage, China achieved its rapid development through the unremitting efforts of its people and the win-win cooperation with countries “We believe that all countries have the need and the right to find a development path that suits their national conditions and is supported by their own people.” For the development and progress of human civilization.In the spirit of mutual respect, China stands ready to work with New Zealand to promote mutually beneficial cooperation, promote development, promote regional prosperity, and build a community with a shared future for mankind.

Ms Mahuta initially congratulated the CPC on the centenary of its founding, and praised China’s achievements in poverty reduction, sustainable development and the fight against COVID-19. She said New Zealand and China share many common points, and the New Zealand side is willing to work with the Chinese side to look to the future, deepen cooperation in the areas where the two sides have reached consensus, and strengthen communication in the areas where they are. The differences were, and promote the continuous development of the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries. Ms. Mahuta expressed her hope that the two countries will seize the opportunity presented by the fiftieth anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries next year to properly plan for the future of bilateral relations, deepen economic and trade cooperation, and jointly respond to climate change. Effective contribution to stability and development at the regional and international levels. New Zealand opposes the politicization of the epidemic, is engaged in tracing the origin of the virus through scientific methods, and hopes to have a dialogue with China on issues related to Pacific island nations. The New Zealand side stands ready to work with China to encourage meetings within the framework of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) to send a clear signal to combat the virus and promote economic recovery. New Zealand is committed to maintaining pluralism, cherishes its own values, and intends to engage in dialogue through various channels and seek consensus on issues of mutual interest such as democracy and human rights.

Mr. Wang said the international community now needs solidarity and cooperation more than ever. China is ready to join forces with New Zealand to maintain and jointly exercise true multilateralism, and to defend the international system centered on the United Nations and the international system based on international law. China supports New Zealand in hosting this year’s APEC meetings, and intends to work with them to ensure that the meetings send a political signal in support of multilateralism, oppose protectionism and face challenges together and make an effective contribution to building a common Asia-Pacific region. future society, promoting economic development and improving the well-being of the peoples of Asia and the Pacific. The two sides will be able to display their own advantages to participate in trilateral and quadrilateral cooperation and help the Pacific island nations eliminate the impact of COVID-19 and achieve economic recovery. China wants to enhance dialogue and communication with New Zealand on the response to climate change. Tracing the origin of COVID-19 should not be politicized. All parties should conduct research in this field on a larger scale with a scientific attitude, in order to effectively prevent the reproduction of a pandemic.

On value issues, Wang said, China advocates the common values ​​of all mankind, namely peace, development, fairness, justice, democracy and freedom, which are the aspirations of the vast majority of countries in the world. The means to guarantee democracy and human rights are diverse because countries have different national conditions and are at different stages of development. The people of a country are in the best position to judge whether their country protects human rights and democracy. Different countries can exchange views on democracy and human rights to increase mutual understanding. But the dialogue on this matter should be based on mutual respect and equal treatment, not an assumption of guilt. China intends to communicate with New Zealand in these areas through various appropriate means.