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B&R News: New Zealand signs Belt and Road cooperation deal with China
28 Mar 2017

 

 

By Xinhua/Pang Xinglei

 

 

At the invitation of his New Zealand's counterpart Bill English, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang arrives with his wife Cheng Hong in Wellington, New Zealand, March 26, 2017, for an official visit.

 

New Zealand became the first Western developed country signing a cooperation agreement with China on the Belt and Road Initiative on March 27, 2017.

 

Visiting Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and New Zealand Prime Minister Bill English witnessed the signing of the memorandum of understanding, which adds to the long list of ground-breaking achievements the two countries have scored in bilateral cooperation.

 

China and New Zealand will explore the possibilities of bilateral cooperation in different fields to promote interconnectivity between the two countries, Li told a joint press conference with Mr. English.

 

New Zealand was the first Western developed country to conclude bilateral negotiations on China's accession to the World Trade Organization, to recognize China's full market-economy status, to sign and implement a bilateral free trade agreement with China, and to join the China-Initiated Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank as a founding member.

 

The Belt and Road Initiative, which comprises the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road and was proposed by China in 2013, aims to build a trade and infrastructure network connecting Asia with Europe and Africa along and beyond the ancient land and maritime Silk Road trade routes.

 

During his trip, Premier Li will also meet with Governor-General Patsy Reddy and opposition Labor Party leader Andrew Little, and attend a series of business and culture exchange events.

 

 

Source: Xinhua News Agency