China and New Zealand Strengthen Cooperation in Joint Statement

China and New Zealand are strengthening cooperation in various fields such as trade and science and technology.

Chinese President Xi Jinping (right) and New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins are shaking hands during their meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, on the 27th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

According to the "China-New Zealand Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Joint Statement" announced by the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the 28th, both sides agreed to enhance cooperation in areas including food safety, agriculture, customs and trade facilitation, scientific and technological innovation, and law enforcement, based on dialogue in diplomacy, economy and trade, and defense sectors.

Taking advantage of New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins' official visit to China from the 25th to the 30th, the two sides produced a total of seven cooperation documents related to improving the level of agricultural cooperation, exports of New Zealand kiwifruit to China, forestry cooperation, food safety capacity building, scientific and technological cooperation, cooperation between authorities on intellectual property (IP) protection, and mutual recognition of higher education qualifications and degrees.

New Zealand also reiterated its position of adhering to the "One China" policy through the joint statement. Additionally, the joint statement stated, "Both sides reaffirmed the importance of safeguarding the trade system centered on the World Trade Organization (WTO) and based on multilateral rules, maintaining an open and inclusive global economy, and sustaining resilient global supply chains."

Furthermore, New Zealand expressed a welcoming stance toward China's application to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) in 2021. President Xi Jinping held talks with Prime Minister Hipkins, who visited China with a large economic and trade delegation, in Beijing on the 27th.