New Zealand Labor government Senior Whip Rick Barker was elected chairman of the Parliamentarian New Zealand-China Friendship Group and National Senior Whip John Carter vice-chairman.

At the founding ceremony, Barker said New Zealand and China enjoy good and strong relations.

"The Parliamentarian New Zealand-China Friendship Group is looking forward to working with the Chinese side in pushing for the further growth of the bilateral relations," he said.

Chinese Ambassador to New Zealand Chen Wenzhao said the establishment of the Parliamentarian New Zealand-China Friendship Group is a big happy event in the development of China-New Zealand relations.

The event, he added, will greatly promote the bilateral friendly ties, especially friendly exchanges between the New Zealand Parliament and China's legislature, the National People's Congress.

Jonathan Hunt, speaker of the New Zealand House of Representatives,attended the ceremony.

(Xinhua 08/15/2000)