Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said in Singapore on Tuesday that China is willing to further develop political exchanges and economic and trade cooperation with New Zealand.

The two countries will also deepen cooperation in regional and international issues, Wen said.

Wen made the remarks while meeting with New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark on the sidelines of the on-going 13th ASEAN Summit here.

On the issue of free trade zone between the two countries, Wen said the negotiation over the issue is of strategic significance to the bilateral relations and is an important step to develop all-round cooperative relations between China and New Zealand in the 21st century.

He expressed hope that an agreement will be reached within the year.

During the meeting, Clark said that to establish a free trade zone with China is a strategic policy of New Zealand, which is ready to make greater efforts to complete the negotiation as scheduled.

Clark said her country will continue to adhere to the One-China policy and will not support any activities of "Taiwan independence," which gained appreciation from Premier Wen.

(Xinhua News Agency November 21, 2007)