17 December 2002

His Excellency Mr Zhu Rongji
Premier of the State Council
PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA


Dear Premier Zhu

On behalf of the government and people of New Zealand, I would like to extend my best wishes to you and the government and people of the People's Republic of China on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between our two countries.

Over the past 30 years relations between our two countries - political and economic - have grown from strength to strength. In recent years we have also witnessed phenomenal growth in people-to people links between us, in particular in the number of Chinese students and tourists coming to New Zealand.

New Zealand values the rich and diverse partnership that has developed between our two countries, and looks forward to the continued strengthening of the warm and friendly ties that exist between us.


Yours sincerely

Helen Clark
Prime Minister