On January 8, Vice Governor Wang Jinfu met in Fuzhou with Michael Zhang, New Zealand’s Consul-General to Guangzhou.

On behalf of the provincial government, Wang extended a warm welcome to the visiting delegation, and briefed them on Fujian’s economic and social progress. He said that the friendly exchanges between China and New Zealand have a long history. Under the strategic guidance of the leaders of the two countries, the subnational exchanges and cooperation between Fujian and New Zealand have become increasingly close in recent years. Wang expressed hope to deepen economic and trade cooperation, and foster stronger synergies among key industries such as agricultural science and technology, biotechnology, food, and renewable energy. Wang also called for boosting people-to-people and cultural exchanges, expanding cooperation in culture, education, and tourism, increasing friendly interactions, and strengthening sister-city ties, so as to further consolidate the foundations for China-New Zealand friendship.

Michael spoke highly of Fujian’s economic and social achievements. Citing the solid foundations and broad prospects for cooperation between New Zealand and Fujian, the consul-general looked forward to beefing up sister-city exchanges and results-oriented cooperation for mutual benefits and shared development.