On June 27, 2013, Vice President Xie Yuan Met with Mr. John McKinnon, Executive Director of Asia New Zealand Foundation.

Vice President Xie expressed warm welcome to Mr. McKinnon on behalf of President Li Xiaolin. He said, Asia New Zealand Foundation has always been an important partner for CPAFFC and the two organizations maintained close exchange and cooperation during the past years. The China New Zealand Young Leaders Exchange Program, which is jointly initiated by our two organizations, has been carried out smoothly since its launching in 2009. The young leaders from the two countries gained better understanding about each other’s history, culture and current national condition through mutual visits. This lays a solid foundation for the sound and steady growth of China-New Zealand friendly relations. Xie hoped that the two parties could further expand areas of cooperation, make fresh contribution to China-New Zealand relationship so as to benefit the two peoples.

McKinnon said, China-New Zealand relations went through fast development in recent years. There’s growing interest from the New Zealand society, the New Zealand people to know more about China. This trend requires organizations like Asia New Zealand Foundation and CPAFFC to step up the efforts, and create new opportunities to promote mutual understanding and exchange and cooperation between the people of China and New Zealand.