On the afternoon of April 11, Wu Xi, new Chinese Ambassador to New Zealand, presented her Letter of Credence to Her Excellency the Right Honourable Dame Patsy Reddy, Governor-General of New Zealand, at Government House, Wellington.
Ambassador Wu conveyed the cordial regards of President Xi Jinping to Governor-General Patsy Reddy. Governor-General Patsy Reddy expressed her thanks and asked Ambassador Wu to convey her best wishes to President Xi Jinping.
Ambassador Wu noted that China-New Zealand relations have been maintaining a good trend of development since the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries. In 2014, President Xi Jinping paid a state visit to New Zealand and the two countries established Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, setting the direction for the development of China-New Zealand relations. At present, bilateral relations are facing new development opportunities. China is willing to work with New Zealand to enhance mutual political trust, promote pragmatic cooperation, and deepen traditional friendship between the two peoples, and to further work for the continued development of China-New Zealand relations in a healthey and stable manner. Ambassador Wu noted that she would do her utmost in her tenure to deepen the bilateral cooperation in various fields.
Governor-General Patsy Reddy noted that she was pleased to accept Ambassador Wu's Letter of Credence and quoted a saying of Confucius, 'It is such a delight to meet friends from afar'. She extended her welcome to Ambassador Wu on behalf of Her Majesty the Queen and the New Zealand Government and people, noting she would provide support and assistance to Ambassador Wu. She noted that China-New Zealand relationship is a special one which is strong and encompassing, and has created quite a number of remarkable 'firsts'. Close cooperation between the two countries in the fields of economy and trade, tourism, education, culture and climate change, etc. has not only contributed to the well-being of the two peoples, but also benefited the Pacific region. New Zealand is willing to work with China on the basis of mutual respect and mutual benefit to create more 'firsts'.
After the presentation of her Letter of Credence, Ambassador Wu and Embassy staff attended a welcome reception hosted by Governor-General Patsy Reddy and her husband.
Ambassador Wu arrived in Wellington on March 25, 2018. Deborah Geels, Manager of North Asia Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, received Ambassador Wu at the airport on behalf of the New Zealand Government.