Chinese Prime Minister Zhu Rongji and his New Zealand counterpart, Helen Clark, on Sunday exchanged congratulatory messages on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
In his message, Zhu extended warm congratulations, on behalf of the Chinese government and people and in his own name, to Clark and through Clark, to the New Zealand government and people.
He said that since China and New Zealand established diplomatic relations 30 years ago, bilateral ties have developed on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence while bilateral exchanges and cooperation in various fields have made abundant achievements.
To further develop the China-New Zealand relations is in the interests of the two peoples and will enhance peace and development in the Asia-Pacific region, he said.
On her part, Clark said in a congratulatory message that New Zealand and China have continuously strengthened their political and economic relations over the past 30 years and have witnessed phenomenal growth in people-to-people links between the two, in particular in the number of Chinese students and tourists coming to New Zealand.
She said New Zealand values the rich and diverse partnership that has developed between the two countries and looks forward to the continued strengthening of the warm and friendly bilateral ties.
Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan and New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Philip Bruce Goff also exchanged congratulatory messages on the occasion.
(Xinhua News Agency December 23, 2002)
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