New Zealand PM welcomes interests of China's engagement in Pacific
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New Zealand Prime Minister John Key said on Wednesday that China has become a growing significant donor in the Pacific and New Zealand welcomes the interests of China's engagement in the region.
Key, who is in Port Vila to attend the 41st Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting, told Xinhua that at the 40th Pacific Islands Forum meeting held last August in the Australian city of Cairns, "We agreed to work along with all the donor countries to maximize the benefits of the aid that are given."
"China has become a growing significant donor in the Pacific," he said. "I talked to the Chinese leaders recently that we welcome the interests of (China's) engagement in the Pacific," he said.
But more coordination are needed, he added.
Key, who went to China last month to attend New Zealand Day ceremony at the Shanghai Expo on July 9, said that Shanghai Expo is remarkable and he hoped to attract more Chinese tourists to visit New Zealand.
"It is a world class show. ... The standards of the Olympics, Shanghai Expo are eye-watering," said Key.
Key, who also serves as tourism minister, said the New Zealand Pavilion at Shanghai Expo is apparently quite popular. "We expect 7 million visitors will visit New Zealand Pavilion during the expo. We hope to attract more Chinese tourists to visit New Zealand."
