On September 20, 2022, Minister of Science and Technology Wang Zhigang held a virtual meeting with New Zealand Minister for Research, Science and Innovation Ayesha Verrall. The two sides had an in-depth exchange of views on China-New Zealand cooperation in science, technology and innovation (STI).

　　Minister Wang Zhigang noted that China and New Zealand are each other’s important partners. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations 50 years ago, China-New Zealand relations have moved forward along a healthy and stable track, bringing tangible benefits to the people of both countries. In November last year, President Xi Jinping and New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern had a phoned conversation on the phone and reached important consensus on ensuring healthy and stable growth of China-New Zealand relations under the new situation. Since the signing of the Intergovernmental Agreement on Science and Technology Cooperation between China and New Zealand in 1987, S&T cooperation between the two sides has maintained stable development. The S&T Joint Commission meeting mechanism established by competent departments from both countries has further added dimensions to China-New Zealand S&T cooperation. Going forward, China‘s door to the world will open wider on S&T. China stands ready to work with New Zealand to act on the consensus of the two leaders and continue to promote STI cooperation between the two countries, so as to make great contributions to science and technology, economic and social progress and the well-being of both peoples.

　　Minister Ayesha Verrall applauded the achievements and progress of S&T cooperation between New Zealand and China and commended the proposals put forward by the Chinese side. She noted that New Zealand attaches great importance to its S&T relations with China and stands ready to deepen the mutually beneficial cooperation in the field of science and technology. The two sides are actively exploring the roadmap for the next five years of S&T cooperation and working together to implement the important consensus of the two leaders by promoting joint research projects, research community interactions and scientific cooperation seminars, and enriching the activities under the framework of the New Zealand-China Joint Commission on Science and Technology.

　　Chinese Ambassador to New Zealand Wang Xiaolong and New Zealand Ambassador to China Clare Fearnley attended and addressed the meeting online. The two ambassadors applauded the institutional innovation of China-New Zealand S&T cooperation, sustained progress of key projects and visible results of cooperation, as well as the positive contribution of S&T cooperation to the overall China-New Zealand relations.

　　Deputy Director-General Tang Zhiwen of the Department of North American and Oceanian Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Director-General Li Guihua of the General Office of the Ministry of Science and Technology, Director-General Dai Gang and Deputy Director-General Xu Jie of the Department of International Cooperation of the Ministry of Science and Technology, Director-General Zou Liyao of the Bureau of International Cooperation of the National Natural Science Foundation of China, Director-General Gao Xiang of the China Science and Technology Exchange Center, Director-General Deng Xiaoming of the China Rural Technology Development Center, and Director-General Zhang Xinmin of the China National Center for Biotechnology Development attended the meeting.