Assistant Foreign Minister He Yafei met with New Zealand's Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters and held consultations respectively with Deputy Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade John McKinnon and Alan Williams on bilateral relations and the South Pacific situation in Wellington during his visit to New Zealand from 20 to 21 June 2006.

He said that Premier Wen Jiabao paid an official visit to New Zealand this April, reaching consensus with the leader of New Zealand on developing bilateral comprehensive cooperation of mutual benefit in the 21st century. Currently both sides are earnestly implementing the outcome of Premier Wen's visit with positive progress in all areas of exchanges and cooperation. China is willing to push for in-depth development of bilateral comprehensive cooperation. The New Zealand side indicated that bilateral mutually beneficial cooperation has enjoyed encouraging sound momentum since Premier Wen's visit and New Zealand would like to work with China to continue promoting development of bilateral ties.

On the South-Pacific situation, He said that China's policy towards Pacific Island countries is aimed to safeguard regional stability and sustain economic and social development of these countries and China is ready to enhance dialogue and consultation with New Zealand on the South-Pacific issue. The New Zealand side noted that the two countries share common interests in boosting this region's stability and development and New Zealand welcomes China to take more part in affairs of this region and is willing to strengthen communication and coordination in this regard.

Both sides also exchanged views on the East Asia Summit and the situation in East Timor.