PLA Daily 2006-09-21

　　Xu Caihou, vice chairman of China's Central Military Commission, who is now in New Zealand on an official friendly visit, met with Prime Minister Helen Clark of New Zealand yesterday in Auckland, and the two sides had wide-range and in-depth exchange of views on the relations between the two countries and on the issues of common concern.

　　Xu Caihou said that the friendly cooperative relations between China and New Zealand and between the two militaries had witnessed considerable progress in various fields in recent years, and was now at the peak in the history of their relations. The Chinese side is ready to work together with the New Zealand side to bring the ties to a new high. Xu expressed appreciation and gratitude to the New Zealand Government for its adherence to the one-China policy. He also briefed his hosts on China's adherence to a path of peaceful development and the concept of pushing for building a harmonious world.

　　Clark said that Xu's current visit would surely further deepen the mutual understanding and trust between New Zealand and China and between the two militaries. She noted that at present the relations between the two countries had been developing smoothly in an all-round way, the two sides had carried out fruitful exchanges and cooperation in the fields of trade, education, culture, tourism, etc. and had sound coordination and cooperation in the international affairs. China has been active in its participation in the international peacekeeping actions, playing an important role in maintaining world peace and stability. During the meeting she also indicated that the New Zealand Government would unswervingly stick to the one-China policy.

　　By Xia Wenhui

　　(Sept 21, PLA Daily)