AUCKLAND, July 18 (Xinhuanet) -- The Chinese new leadership highly values China's friendly cooperative ties with New Zealand and is willing to make joint efforts to advance bilateral ties in a more stable way, and score a brighter future in the new century, said a senior Chinese party official on Friday.

Li Changchun, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee made the remarks at his meeting with New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark.

Li noted that China-New Zealand exchanges and cooperation in the economy, trade, science, technology, education, culture and tourism have expanded increasingly, and consultations on major international and regional issues have been strengthened since thetwo countries established diplomatic ties in 1972.

The frequent exchange of visits by the two countries' leaders had helped enhance mutual understanding and trust, Li said. He added that mutual respect, equality and benefit, increasing understanding and enhancing cooperation were key to the sound development of bilateral ties.

Li spoke highly of the positive role the New Zealand Labor Party has played in promoting state-to-state ties, saying since the Labor Party sent its first parliamentary delegation on a visitto China in 1983, relations between the two parties have deepened.

The CPC hoped to further its friendly ties with the Labor Partyand was ready to exchange experiences on party building and government administration, Li said.

Clark said she was satisfied with the progress that has been made in bilateral ties and noted that China's political, economic and social achievements had given great impetus to the friendly relations of the two nations.

Clark hoped both sides would further boost exchanges and cooperation to achieve common prosperity and development.

Also on Friday, Li met with Philip Bruce Goff, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade. They exchanged views on bilateral ties and international and regional issues of common concern.

Li arrived in New Zealand on Thursday for an official good-willvisit on the last leg of his three-nation tour, which also took him to Cuba and Argentina. Li will leave here for Beijing on Sunday. Enditem