New Zealand has been a pace-setter among Western developed countries in terms of relations with China. It was the first Western developed country to conclude bilateral negotiations on China's accession into the WTO, the first to recognize China's full market economy status, the first to sign a bilateral free trade agreement with China and the first to become a founding member of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. All these "firsts" speak volumes about our pioneering, special and exemplary relationship, which has delivered real benefits to both peoples.

新西兰在发展对华关系上一直走在西方发达国家前列，是第一个与中国结束“入世”双边谈判、第一个承认中国完全市场经济地位、第一个同中国签署双边自贸协定、第一个成为亚洲基础设施投资银行创始成员国的西方发达国家。这些“第一”彰显中新关系的开拓性、特殊性、示范性，为两国人民带来了实实在在的利益。

The friendship between our countries is a good example to show that differences in size, social system and cultural tradition as well as geographical distance do not necessarily stand in the way of growing bilateral ties. So long as countries treat each other with respect and as equals, and view each other's development as opportunities rather than challenges, they can always find common ground while shelving or even transcending differences and become good friends and partners who understand and trust each other. Just like the Pacific Ocean that never dries up, our friendship and cooperation enjoys limitless potential and great vitality.

中新友好的实践证明，国家体量大小、地理距离远近、社会制度和文化传统的差异，都不是国家关系发展的障碍。只要坚持相互尊重、平等相待，坚信对方发展带来的是机遇而不是挑战，各国就完全可以求同存异、聚同化异，成为相互理解和信任的好朋友、好伙伴。我们坚信，中新两国的友谊与合作会像太平洋一样，潜力无限、永不干涸！

Ladies and Gentlemen,

女士们、先生们！

Economic globalization, featuring trade and investment liberalization and facilitation, has been an important driving force for the fast growth of the world economy in the past decades. As far as I can see, one of the secrets to New Zealand's success is its pro-trade approach, and its readiness to embrace economic globalization and swim in the vast ocean of global competition. Similarly, China owes a great deal to opening up in its fast development over the past 30-plus years. The experience of both our countries has shown that only openness and inclusiveness can lead a country to prosperity and development.

以贸易和投资自由化便利化为代表的经济全球化，是过去数十年世界经济快速发展的重要动力。新西兰成功的秘诀之一，就是坚持贸易立国，坚定投身经济全球化浪潮，敢于在国际竞争的汪洋大海中游泳。中国过去30多年的快速发展，也得益于对外开放。中新两国的发展历程表明，惟有开放包容，国家才能兴旺发达。