Wellington -- The governments of China and New Zealand on Thursday signed a number of agreements and documents aimed to strengthen bilateral cooperation in areas such as legal assistance, cultural exchanges, and education and training.

China's Premier Wen Jiabao (back L) watches with New Zealand's Prime Minister Helen Clark (back R) as China's Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing (L) and Attorney General Michael Cullen sign a mutual legal assistance treaty in Wellington April 6, 2006. [Reuters]

These included a treaty on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters, a cultural agreement, a protocol on veterinary and sanitary requirements for edible dear products to be exported from New Zealand to China, and a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in education and training between the two countries.

Visiting Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark, who held talks earlier Thursday, were present on the occasion.

The following decisions were also made public on Thursday:

1) Air New Zealand will open a direct air line between Auckland of New Zealand and Shanghai of China.

2) New Zealand would participate in the 2010 World Expo in Shanghai.

3) China and New Zealand will strengthen cooperation in fighting organized cross-border crimes.

Premier Wen arrived here Wednesday night for an official visit to New Zealand, the third leg of his four-nation tour. This is the first trip to the island country by a Chinese premier in nearly 18 years.