On the afternoon of April 14, 2009, Chinese President Hu Jintao met at the Great Hall of the People with New Zealand Prime Minister John Key, who is here for an official visit and to attend the 2009 meeting of the Bo'ao Forum for Asia (BFA) in south China's Hainan province.

　　Hu told Key China-New Zealand ties had progressed smoothly since the two countries established diplomatic ties in December 1972. Hu said both sides had increased their high-level visits and deepened their political trust in recent years. "The signing of China-New Zealand free trade agreement (FTA) has provided a mechanism and created favorable conditions for bilateral cooperation of mutual benefit," Hu said. The president said China was satisfied with relations with New Zealand, citing bilateral fruitful cooperation on culture, education, science, technology and tourism, and good communication and consultation on multilateral issues.

　　Looking to the future, Hu said China would like to work with New Zealand to strengthen dialogue at high and other levels, expand substantive cooperation in all fields and properly handle the sensitive issues in bilateral relations based on the spirit of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit. He hoped that both sides will fully tap potential and actively expand bilateral cooperation on energy, resources, energy conservation, environmental protection, high and new technologies and infrastructure construction, while conducting sound cooperation on such traditional areas as agriculture, forestry and animal husbandry. He also urged both sides to broaden people-to-people and cultural exchanges and further deepen understanding and friendship between the two peoples. Hu said both countries should increase communication and coordination on major issues concerning the United Nations, climate change and regional cooperation in a bid to take bilateral relations to a new high.

　　Key said that as a good partner of China, New Zealand was proud to take the lead in developing ties with China. New Zealand attaches great importance to ties with China and is ready to push forward bilateral ties. As the two economies were complementary, Key said his country would like to work more closely with China on agriculture, resources, tourism, education and climate change and enhance the level of bilateral economic and trade cooperation.

　　Hu and Key also exchanged views on how to revive, stabilize and bolster the world economy and finance.

　　Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi and other officials attended the meeting.