[Li Qiang spoke on the phone with New Zealand Prime Minister Lacson] October 12th: Premier Li Qiang of the State Council had a phone call with New Zealand Prime Minister Lacson on the afternoon of October 12 at request. Li Qiang said that at present, China-New Zealand relations continue to move forward steadily, and cooperation in various fields continues to make new progress. At the same time, the international situation is still undergoing complex changes. Unilateralism and protectionism continue to impact the world economy. The international community's call for maintaining the multilateral system and strengthening open cooperation has become stronger. China and New Zealand are both supporters and practitioners of multilateralism and free trade and should carry out more communication and collaboration. Next year China and New Zealand will celebrate the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. China is willing to work with New Zealand to maintain traditional friendship, expand mutually beneficial cooperation, promote the deepening and solidification of China-New Zealand comprehensive strategic partnership, and add impetus to the stability, development and prosperity of the two countries, the region and the world. Li Qiang pointed out that China is willing to work with New Zealand to always be partners of mutual respect and mutual benefit, continue to promote the expansion and improvement of bilateral goods trade, actively explore the potential of service trade, expand cooperation in new energy vehicles, photovoltaics, wind power and other fields, and promote more practical results. It is hoped that both sides will speed up negotiations on the negative list of services trade in the China-Singapore Free Trade Agreement and reap substantial results as soon as possible. Both sides should provide more convenience for expanding personnel exchanges, deepen exchanges and cooperation in culture, tourism, education, youth, local and other fields, and consolidate the foundation of friendship between the two countries. China and New Zealand are both members of the Asia-Pacific family. China is willing to strengthen cooperation with New Zealand in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation and actively promote the building of the Asia-Pacific community. Lacson said that the current relations between New Zealand and China are developing steadily and cooperation in various fields has been solidly advanced, benefiting the people of both countries. New Zealand attaches great importance to relations with China and firmly adheres to the one-China policy. It is willing to take the opportunity of celebrating the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations next year to intensify high-level exchanges with China, deepen mutual understanding and trust, deepen practical cooperation in trade, tourism, new energy and other fields, and promote the development of the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries. New Zealand supports China in hosting the APEC Leaders’ Informal Meeting. The two sides also exchanged views on international and regional issues of common concern. (Xinhua News Agency)