On August 7, 2017 local time, Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Foreign Minister Gerry Brownlee of New Zealand on the sideline of the East Asia Summit Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Manila, the Philippines.
Wang Yi expressed that China and New Zealand establish a comprehensive strategic partnership, and always walk in the forefront of relations between China and developed countries, and continuously create new records, which not only reflect the high-degree of political mutual trust between the two countries, but showcase the enormous development potential of bilateral relations. It is hoped that both countries could actively push forward the upgraded negotiation on China-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement, meanwhile, enhance cooperation in investment, technology and other fields, and forge an upgraded version of bilateral cooperation, so that China-New Zealand relations could always be maintained at a leading position.
Gerry Brownlee said that China plays an important role in almost all the fields in the Asia-Pacific region. New Zealand feels proud of the positive and sound development of bilateral relations, and expects the future relations between the two countries to embrace overall development. It is hoped that the two sides could complete the upgraded negotiation on New Zealand-China Free Trade Agreement at an early date to further advance exchanges and cooperation in such areas as economy, trade and defense.
Both sides exchanged views on the Korean Peninsula situation, the South China Sea issue and other topics. Wang Yi appreciated New Zealand for upholding an object and discreet stance on regional issues, and hoped the country could continuously play a constructive role in regional peace and stability.