Chinese premier meets New Zealand governor-general

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (L) meets with New Zealand Governor-General Patsy Reddy in Auckland, New Zealand, March 28, 2017. [Photo by Pang Xinglei/Xinhua]

AUCKLAND, New Zealand -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Tuesday met with New Zealand Governor-General Patsy Reddy in Auckland.

China and New Zealand enjoy deep political mutual trust and bilateral relations have the support of both peoples, said Li.

Thanks to joint efforts, China-New Zealand relations have long led in China's ties with developed countries and bilateral cooperation has been fruitful, Li said.

The good relations have promoted common interests of the two countries and are conducive to the peace, stability and prosperity of the Asia-Pacific region, he said.

China is willing to work with New Zealand to promote exchanges in education, tourism and culture so as to lift China-New Zealand friendship and cooperation to a higher level, said Li.

Reddy said that her country attaches great importance to its relations with China, and that New Zealand's future is closely related to China's development.

New Zealand is willing to enhance exchanges and deepen cooperation with China for the benefits of the two countries and peoples, Reddy added.

The New Zealand governor-general is the official representative of the New Zealand monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, who resides in Britain.