On April 15, 2009, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao held talks with New Zealand's Prime Minister John Key at the Great Hall of the People.

　　Wen said China-New Zealand relationship was "at its best in history", adding that the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) signed last October has greatly boosted bilateral trade and economic cooperation and brought about concrete benefits to the two peoples. In face of the current global financial crisis, China and New Zealand should work together to comprehensively deepen cooperation and overcome the difficulties, said Chinese Premier Wen. "This would benefit both countries and the region as well," he said.

　　Wen put forward proposals in the following four aspects. First, the two countries should continue high-level exchanges of visits to improve political trust. He expressed hope that New Zealand will continue to show understanding and support to China on issues concerning Taiwan and Tibet. Second, both sides should take tackling the international financial crisis as a cooperation priority and strive to expand trade scale and enhance cooperation level. He urged the two sides to use the advantage of the FTA to expand cooperation in the areas such as agriculture, forestry, stock raising, energy conservation, environmental protection, clean energy, exploration of mineral resources and food safety. Third, the two countries should promote humanities and youth exchanges and push forward personnel training and scientific research cooperation. Fourth, both sides should keep closer coordination in the international organizations to safeguard common interest and make positive efforts for harmonious development of the Asia-Pacific region and the world at large.

　　Key said despite great differences in the national conditions of the two countries, there is huge potential for their cooperation. The two countries maintain very sound relations and New Zealand is proud to take the lead in developing ties with China. New Zealand remains committed to developing friendly cooperative relations with China and hopes to maintain high-level contacts and political dialogue with China, he added. New Zealand would take the chance of implementing the FTA to expand bilateral cooperation in trade, agriculture, stock raising and science and technology. Key said his country encourages people-to-people exchanges with China and welcomes more Chinese nationals to New Zealand for tour and study. New Zealand is ready to cooperate with China on East Asia Summit and other multilateral occasions, he noted. The prime minister said New Zealand and China should stand firmly against trade and investment protectionism and advance the Doha round of negotiations.

　　Both sides also exchanged views on international and regional issues of common concern.

　　After the talks, the two leaders witnessed the signing of agreements on cooperation in information and tourism.

　　Prior to the talks, Premier Wen held a welcoming ceremony for Key’s visit at the North Hall of the Great Hall of the People. Vice Chairperson of the Central Committee of the China Association for Promoting Democracy (CAPD) Zhu Yongxin, Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, Minister of Agriculture Sun Zhengcai and Chinese Ambassador to New Zealand Zhang Limin attended the welcoming ceremony.