On September 7, 2007, Chinese President Hu Jintao met in Sydney with New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark.

At the meeting, Hu said, as important countries in the Asia-Pacific region, China and New Zealand are highly complementary in economy and hold identical or similar views on many key international issues. The Chinese-New Zealand ties have witnessed sound development since the forging of diplomatic relations 35 years ago, indicating bilateral ties have a solid base and are full of vitality, Hu said. The development of bilateral relations conforms to the fundamental interests of both countries and their peoples, and is conducive to peace, stability and prosperity of the region and the world at large, Hu added.

At present, the Chinese-New Zealand ties are facing important opportunities of development, Hu said. China will develop bilateral ties from a strategic perspective and is ready to enhance friendly exchanges, increase political mutual trust and push forward pragmatic cooperation, in the spirit of "mutual respect, future-orientation and seeking win-win results of mutual benefit," Hu added. "China is willing to push forward bilateral comprehensive ties of cooperation to a higher level," Hu said.

Chinese President Hu Jintao said the free trade agreement talks between China and New Zealand, which are of historic significance, have played a positive role in pushing forward bilateral friendly cooperation. He hoped the two sides, in the spirit of mutual understanding and mutual accommodation, will continue to work to strive for an early conclusion of the talks.

The New Zealand prime minister said bilateral ties have made a series of progress in recent years, with the free trade talks going smoothly. She expressed delight with such progress in bilateral ties and hoped both sides will conclude the talks and sign an agreement at an early date, which is of special significance to the development of bilateral ties, especially in the economic and trade areas. Clark said New Zealand is ready to step up efforts, along with China, to continue deepening cooperation in all fields.

The two leaders also exchanged views on climate change and agreed to strengthen communication and consultations on the issue.

Wang Gang, alternate member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee and Director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee, also attended the meeting.