BEIJING, Jan. 27 -- "China is willing to maintain high-level communication with New Zealand, and promote continuous development of China-New Zealand military relations", Senior Colonel Wu Qian, a spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense, said at a regular media briefing on Thursday.
Being asked to share the development of China-New Zeeland relations, Senior Colonel Wu confirmed that General Li Zuocheng, chief of the CMC Joint Staff Department, had talks via video link with Andrew Bridgman, secretary of defense and chief executive of the Ministry of Defense of New Zealand on January 19. They had frank and in-depth exchange of views on regional security situation, bilateral state and military relations, as well as other issues of common concerns.
Senior Colonel Wu introduced that the year 2022 marks the 50th anniversary of China-New Zealand diplomatic relations and pointed out that the bilateral relations have gained long-term progress in recent years. The Chinese and New Zealand militaries have earnestly implemented the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, and achieved fruitful results in high-level communication, consultations and dialogues, professional exchanges, personnel training, and multilateral cooperation, etc.
“China is willing to maintain high-level communication with New Zealand on the basis of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit, continuously enhance strategic mutual trust, explore new areas of cooperation, boost coordination on multilateral platforms, and promote continuous development of China-New Zealand military relations, with a view to making positive contributions to maintaining regional peace and prosperity and building an Asia-Pacific community with a shared future.” Wu said.