China has gone to the effort of publishing the following as official statements on China and New Zealand

(together we will) work for an even more productive China-New Zealand comprehensive strategic partnership.

Prime Minister Ardern made quite a few positive statements on China

China and New Zealand are each other’s important cooperation partners.

China is ready to work with New Zealand

to follow the principle of mutual respect and win-win cooperation,

to carry forward the spirit of “striving to be the first”,

to promote mutual trust

to advance practical cooperation and

properly to handle differences 

Zhao Lijian: It is said among Western journalists that “only bad news makes good news”. I noticed that Prime Minister Ardern also made quite a few positive statements on New Zealand’s relations with China. For instance, she has said she would have interaction with China, make in-person visits and lead a business delegation to China. 

As to China-New Zealand relations, China and New Zealand are each other’s important cooperation partners. For 50 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties, the bilateral relations have made substantial progress and created many “firsts” in China’s relations with developed countries, bringing tangible benefits to the two peoples. This has set a good example for bilateral relations between countries with different natural endowment and socioeconomic systems and at varied development stages. China is ready to work with New Zealand to seize the opportunities of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties, follow the principle of mutual respect and win-win cooperation, carry forward the spirit of “striving to be the first”, promote mutual trust, advance practical cooperation and properly handle differences to work for an even more productive China-New Zealand comprehensive strategic partnership.