Xi says China ready to work with New Zealand to develop ties of mutual respect, inclusiveness

Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Friday that China is ready to work with New Zealand in jointly building a bilateral relationship featuring mutual respect, inclusiveness, cooperation and common development.

Meeting New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon on the sidelines of the 31st APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Lima, Peru, Xi highlighted that bilateral relations have maintained a healthy and stable development momentum since China and New Zealand established a comprehensive strategic partnership 10 years ago.

Xi said China and New Zealand are both important members of the Asia-Pacific region with strong economic complementarities and mutual benefit.

The two sides do not have historical grievances or fundamental conflicts of interest, Xi said, adding that differences between the two sides should be managed in a calm and practical manner, rather than allowing them to define the relationship.

Xi said China is willing to work with New Zealand to further enhance the spirit of 'striving to be the first', and develop bilateral relations based on mutual respect, inclusiveness, cooperation and common development.

The Chinese president underscored China's support for strengthening exchanges between the people of both countries, including through sub-regional cooperation, youth programs, media partnerships, and academic exchanges. Noting that New Zealand has been included in China's visa-free list, he encouraged more New Zealanders to visit China for work or tourism.

Xi said China is willing to strengthen coordination and cooperation with New Zealand within multilateral frameworks such as the United Nations, APEC, and the World Trade Organization (WTO), to jointly safeguard peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region and the world.

Luxon hailed the bilateral relations and strong people-to-people ties between the two nations, stressing New Zealand's commitment to deepening its comprehensive strategic partnership with China.

He said that New Zealand remains firmly committed to the one China policy and looks forward to enhancing high-level exchanges with China.

Luxon also expressed New Zealand's eagerness to expand cooperation with China in various areas, including trade, green development, and climate change. New Zealand looks forward to strengthening communication and collaboration within the framework of multilateral platforms like APEC and together safeguard free and open regional trade and promote the region's development and prosperity, according to the prime minister.

Xi says China ready to work with New Zealand to develop ties of mutual respect, inclusiveness

Xi says China ready to work with New Zealand to develop ties of mutual respect, inclusiveness

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva expressed strong optimism in the upcoming G20 Summit reaching fruitful results in an exclusive interview with China Central Television (CCTV) prior to the 19th G20 Summit in Brazil.

The 19th G20 Summit is to take place in Brazil's city of Rio de Janeiro from Nov 18 to 19, under the theme of 'building a just world and a sustainable planet'. The summit will seek to address several global issues and development challenges, according to the Brazilian president.

"We will initiate the establishment of the Global Alliance to Combat Hunger and Poverty. I believe this is a remarkable initiative, proposed within the G20 but also open to all countries worldwide. Additionally, we are delving deeply into discussions on energy transition and climate issues. Research has proven that humanity has no viable living space beyond the Earth. Therefore, rather than seeking other planets, we should focus on improving the quality of the Earth's water and air, enabling us to live with dignity and respect," he said.

"At the same time, we aim to revisit the Bretton Woods system, particularly the roles of financial institutions such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank. Currently, these institutions are not serving their intended purpose of helping developing countries in need of financing. Instead, they have become tools of oppression on impoverished nations. Today, Africa's debt has reached 900 billion U.S. dollars, and the interest payments surpass the investments these nations can make in development. I am advocating for converting part of African nations' debt to investments in infrastructure within Africa. We will also advance women's empowerment to ensure they can participate equally in political, economic and cultural activities," Lula added.

"Therefore, I am highly optimistic that this will be a productive and friendly G20 Leaders' Summit. I believe it will be a learning opportunity for all of us. Moreover, many people will be introduced to the magnificent city of Rio de Janeiro for the first time," he further said.

Created in 1999, the G20 is a main forum for international cooperation on financial and economic issues. It comprises the European Union, the African Union and 19 countries, including China and Brazil.

Brazil's president optimistic about G20 summit's outcomes