Beijing, December 9th—Liu Haixing, Minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee (IDCPC), met here today with Jonathan Austin, Ambassador of New Zealand to China. 

Liu said, in recent years, under the strategic guidance of the leaders of the two countries, the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and New Zealand has maintained a good momentum of development. Inter-party relations are an important part of state-to-state relations. The CPC is willing to continue to strengthen exchanges with the National Party, the Labour Party and other political parties of New Zealand, and promote the continuous development of China-New Zealand relations. Liu also briefed on the fourth plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, and expressed that China welcomes New Zealand enterprises to continue to invest and develop in China. 

Jonathan Austin said, the New Zealand-China relationship transcended time and has remained as strong as ever. New Zealand was the first Western country to sign a free trade agreement with China. In recent years, the two countries have maintained close high-level exchanges, and achieved fruitful results in economic and trade cooperation, people-to-people and cultural exchanges, and other fields, promoting the economic development of both countries and enhancing people-to-people friendship. New Zealand has always adhered to the one-China policy. The New Zealand Embassy in China is willing to strengthen communication and cooperation with the IDCPC to promote exchanges and dialogue between political parties of the two countries. New Zealand is willing to enhance its understanding of the spirit of the fourth plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee.