Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and his New Zealand counterpart Helen Clark on Saturday exchanged greetings on the 35th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral diplomatic relations.

In his message, Wen said that China and New Zealand have been pushing bilateral ties to move on a sound, positive track on the basis of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit since the two nations established diplomatic ties 35 years ago.

The good relations have brought tangible benefits to the two peoples, and contributed greatly to peace, stability and development of the Asia-Pacific region and the world at large, Wen said.

He expressed China's readiness to join hands with New Zealand to further enhance the friendly exchanges, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation and strive for still greater development of bilateral ties.

Clark said in her message that the past 35 years have laid a solid foundation for bilateral ties, with the two nations getting closer than ever in political communication, economic cooperation, and cultural exchanges.

She expressed the hope that New Zealand could form long-term and broad-based cooperation with China on issues that bear on the interests of both countries and their region, and pledged continued efforts to promote the growth of relations between the two countries.

Foreign ministers of the two countries also exchanged greetings on the same day.
 
(Xinhua News Agency December 22, 2007)