Beijing, June 5th—Lu Kang, Vice-minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, met here today on the morning with Grahame Morton, Deputy Secretary of the New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Lu noted that in June last year, President Xi Jinping met in Beijing with Prime Minister Christopher Luxon of New Zealand during the latter’s visit to China, and the two sides reached a series of important common understandings, providing strategic guidance for the development of bilateral relations. The two sides should work together to implement the important consensus reached between the two leaders and promote greater development of the China-New Zealand comprehensive strategic partnership. The CPC stands ready to strengthen dialogue with New Zealand’s political parties, carry out communication on policies and ideas, and enhance mutual understanding and trust.

Grahame Morton noted that since Prime Minister Luxon’s successful visit to China, the two countries have maintained close high-level exchanges, enhanced political mutual trust, and promoted practical cooperation in such areas as economy and trade as well as people-to-people and cultural exchanges. New Zealand attaches importance to the important role of inter-party exchanges and is willing to continue supporting exchanges and interactions between the political parties of the two countries.

The two sides also exchanged views on international and regional issues of common interest.

Jonathan Austin, Ambassador of New Zealand to China, was present at the meeting.