New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark has expressed her confidence that Chinese President Hu Jintao's forthcoming visit to New Zealand would provide a platform for renewed growth in all aspects of bilateral relations.

"We are delighted that President Hu has chosen to visit New Zealand so early in his term as President," Clark said in a written interview with Xinhua.

Hu, who is paying a state visit to Australia, is expected to start his state visit to New Zealand on Saturday.

"For the New Zealand government and people, there can be no better way to demonstrate the strength and importance of our bilateral relationship. I look forward to the chance of meeting with President Hu for our official talks and also to showing him a little of our country."

Clark said she would highlight some of New Zealand's more innovative initiatives to the Chinese guest, who will arrive in New Zealand for a three-day state visit at weekend, particularly agricultural technology.

On present bilateral relations, the prime minister said New Zealand and China have enjoyed very good relations covering a broad range of activities in government, economic, cultural, scientific and sporting areas.

"We have just celebrated the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between our two countries, a good indicator of the health and depth of the bilateral relationship," she said.

Bilateral ties have developed far beyond what anyone imagined in 1972, she said. "This gives us confidence that there remains much scope for growth and development in our relations."

Clark said 30 years of bilateral cooperation has shown that the governments and the peoples of New Zealand and China are able to work together as friends.

"Our areas of common interest and ambition far outweigh any areas where we disagree. On this basis, I am confident that our bilateral relations with China will continue to grow and prosper," said the prime minister.

Clark described further development of trade and economic relations between the two countries as "bright."

"In my discussions with President Hu, I am intending to explore the possibilities for broadening the relationship," she said.

New Zealand exporters now sell nearly twice as much to China each day as they sold in a whole year in 1972, and some 120,000 Chinese and New Zealand citizens travel between the two countries last year, she said.

"China is now our fourth largest trading partner with total two-way trade over 4 billion NZ dollars (about US$2.3 billion). It is our fourth largest export market (exports of US$841 million) -- having taken that position from the UK earlier this year. China is our fourth largest source of imports."

She particularly noted the strong growth of New Zealand's services trade with China. Over 30,000 Chinese students studied in New Zealand in 2002, doubling the number in 2001.

According to the prime minister, China is New Zealand's fastest growing source of tourists. Last year the number of short-term visitors from China was 76,000, twice the number in 2000.

"With China's economy continuing to grow strongly, and opening up in line with its obligations following accession to the WTO, further opportunities will occur for New Zealand exporters of goods and services and investors," she said.

Clark believed that the next decades in China will be exciting to watch, and will be of the greatest importance to New Zealand. New Zealand's future prosperity and the world's prosperity are linked to China's growth and development, she said.

(Xinhua News Agency October 24, 2003)