国内英语新闻:China, NZ pledge further military co-op

WELLINGTON, May 17 (Xinhua) -- Visiting General Guo Boxiong, vice-chairman of China's Central Military Commission, met Monday here with New Zealand Prime Minister John Key, and both sides pledged further efforts to promote military cooperation.

Although China and New Zealand are far apart geographically, the two countries have been very friendly to each other, Guo said.

Bilateral ties have developed rapidly with frequent high-level visits, enhanced cultural and humanitarian exchanges, and closer economic cooperation, Guo said.

He also hailed the increase of two-way trade volume between China and New Zealand in the wake of the global financial crisis, and said that New Zealand was the first Western country to sign a free trade agreement with China.

In recent years, the two countries have been developing their military-to-military relations in an active manner under the principles of mutual respect, mutual trust, equality and mutual benefit, said Guo, adding that exchanges were also held in such areas as group visits, negotiations and talks, as well as personnel training.