New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Phil Goff stressed the one-China policy and New Zealand's cooperation with China during talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing in Beijing Monday.  

The one-China policy is a long-term policy pursued by the New Zealand government, Goff said. New Zealand supports China's efforts made to achieve peaceful reunification and opposes any action taken by the Taiwan authorities that will lead to "Taiwan independence" and ruin the peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits and the Asia-Pacific region at large, he said.

Goff is paying an official visit to China from February 27 to 28 at the invitation of the Chinese foreign minister.

Li expressed his appreciation of New Zealand's adherence to one-China policy, opposition to "Taiwan independence" and taking lead among the western developed countries in confirming China's full market economy status.

He told the guest that the relationship between China and New Zealand has been progressing smoothly over recent years. The two sides witnessed constant high-level exchanges and positive results in the cooperation of all fields.

China is ready to work together with New Zealand to actively implement the important common understandings on fully deepening bilateral cooperative relations reached by leaders of the two countries, and continue to keep strong momentum of high-level exchanges, build up political mutual trust, consolidate cooperation of mutual benefit, and strengthen communication and coordination in handling international and regional issues, Li said.

Goff agreed Li's comments on the relations between China and New Zealand by saying that the two sides share extensive areas of cooperation and have witnessed fruitful results in this regard.

New Zealand feels inspired by the negotiation on bilateral free trade agreement carried out by the two countries and deems it will help the two sides further display their own advantages and expand bilateral cooperation in economy and business.

The two foreign ministers also exchanged views on the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula and other world and regional issues of common concern.

(Xinhua News Agency February 28, 2005)