China, New Zealand willing to advance trade growth and agreements

China is willing to advance balanced trade growth with New Zealand and effectively implement the upgraded protocol of their free trade agreement, said the country's top commerce official on Monday.

During his meeting with Damien O'Connor, New Zealand's Minister for Trade and Export Growth in Beijing, Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao said China is keen to further strengthen exchanges and cooperation with New Zealand under frameworks such as the World Trade Organization, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, and the Digital Economy Partnership Agreement.

The two sides engaged in frank discussions, focusing on promoting bilateral economic and trade relations, as well as strengthening cooperation in regional and multilateral areas, said a statement released by China's Ministry of Commerce after the meeting.

O'Connor said that New Zealand has maintained a long-standing and positive economic and trade cooperation with China. The trade structures of the two countries are highly complementary, and the bilateral free trade agreement has facilitated rapid growth in both export and import activities.

New Zealand will continue leveraging complementary advantages and strengthen cooperation with China, particularly in agriculture and food security sectors, said O'Connor, adding that the Oceania country seeks to enhance communication and coordination with China in multilateral and regional mechanisms.