WELLINGTON, May 7 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister Jim Anderton met with a delegation from Xinhua News Agency led by its Vice-President Ma Shengrong here Monday.
 Anderton had a cordial and friendly conversation with Ma and his colleagues.
 Anderton highly appreciated rapid and smooth growth of New Zealand-China relations, saying there are good cooperation and frequent exchanges between the two countries in political, economic, educational and tourist fields. The news media of New Zealand and China, he added, should increase their friendly exchanges in order to contribute to deepening mutual understanding of the two peoples.
 Ma thanked the deputy prime minister for his meeting with him and his colleagues shortly after their arrived in New Zealand. He said they are here as guests of New Zealand Press Association and the main purposes of their trip are to enrich their knowledge about New Zealand and strengthen friendship between journalists of the two countries.
 Chinese Ambassador to New Zealand Chen Mingming was present on the occasion.