New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark and Chinese Vice Premier Wang Qishan attended a reception in Beijing on Monday evening to celebrate the signing of a free trade agreement (FTA) between the two countries.

Speaking highly of the current bilateral ties, Wang said in a meeting with Clark prior to the reception that the signing opened a new chapter in the economic and trade cooperation between the two sides and would ensure the creation of more opportunities for enterprises in the two countries and benefit the two peoples.

Wang briefed Clark on the economic and social development of China since it implemented its reform and opening policy 30 years ago. He hoped the two countries could take the occasion of the FTA signing to lift China-New Zealand cooperation to a new level.

Clark said China has been an important partner for New Zealand and the signing was a landmark in the history of the two countries.

New Zealand would like to make joint efforts with China to push forward the further development of the bilateral cooperation, she said.

It was the first such pact between China and a developed country.

The two sides formally launched the free trade negotiations in December 2004 and concluded the talks in December 2007 following 15 rounds of negotiations.

Clark, accompanied by a 150-member trade delegation, arrived here on Sunday afternoon, starting an official visit as guest of Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao.

(Xinhua News Agency April 8, 2008)