On April 7, 2008, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao held talks with New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark at the Great Hall of the People. Both sides agreed to take the signing of the free trade agreement between the two countries as an opportunity to push the China-New Zealand comprehensive, friendly and cooperative relations to a new high.

Wen hailed the vigorous development of China-New Zealand relations in recent years, saying the practical cooperation in every area had made constant breakthroughs, bringing real benefits to the two peoples. Wen said that the free trade agreement signed between China and New Zealand set a good precedent for China's relations with developed countries and was of importance and far-reaching significance. It is not only conducive to the two countries and their peoples, but also represents the trend of the times towards development and win-win cooperation.

Wen noted the two nations shared broad common interests in promoting peace, stability and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region. He said that the signing of the free trade accord has explored broad prospects for deepening mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries, and bilateral relations are facing new important opportunities for development. Wen pledged China was ready to implement the annual regular meeting mechanism between the leaders of the two countries, strengthen consultation at all levels and consolidate the political basis for the bilateral relations. Wen suggested the two sides make full use of the free trade agreement to upgrade cooperation in such traditional areas as agriculture, forestry and animal husbandry. He also urged both sides to give full play to complementary advantages in sustainable development areas, such as climate change, energy saving, environmental protection and low-carbon economy, foster new growing points in trade and economic cooperation, expand cooperation on culture, education, science, technology, tourism and justice, and increase communication and coordination on important international and regional issues, in a bid to push for the building of a harmonious Asia-Pacific region.

Clark said since China was an important cooperative partner, New Zealand attached great importance to the bilateral relations from a strategic level. "New Zealand explicitly sticks to the one-China policy, advocates enhancing contact and cooperation with China and supports China in its efforts to play an active role in the world," she said.

Hailing the free trade agreement as comprehensive, mutually beneficial and of high quality, Clark said its signing marks a unique and historic moment in the history of bilateral relations. She said the agreement would lay a more solid basis for deepening bilateral friendly cooperation and serve as another important pillar for the ties. Clark said New Zealand and the country's business circle would firmly support and earnestly carry out the agreement. She added New Zealand was ready to maintain high-level exchanges with China, step up exchanges and cooperation in the spheres of goods, service trade, agriculture, stock-breeding, energy saving, environmental protection, culture and education, and increase consultation and cooperation between the two countries in the United Nations and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation.

After the talks, the two attended the signing ceremony of a couple of bilateral cooperation documents including the free trade agreement and respectively delivered speeches.

Prior to the talks, Premier Wen Jiabao held a welcoming ceremony for Clark's visit at the North Hall of the Great Hall of the People. Vice-Chairman of the Central Committee of Chinese Peasants and Workers Democratic Party Liu Xiaofeng, Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, Minister of Finance Xie Xuren, Minister of Commerce Chen Deming and Chinese Ambassador to New Zealand Zhang Yuanyuan attended the welcoming ceremony.