Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang arrived in Christchurch, the largest city of New Zealand's South Island, on Sunday at the start of a three-day official visit to New Zealand.

In a written statement released upon his arrival at Christchurch International Airport, the Chinese vice premier said his current visit is aimed at enhancing mutual trust, deepening cooperation and seeking common development in a future-oriented way.

"I look forward to having extensive contacts with New Zealand leaders and people of various sectors of society and conducting in-depth exchanges of views on reinforcing the China-New Zealand relationship under the new circumstances and on major international and regional issues of mutual interests," he said.

Since China and New Zealand established diplomatic ties 37 years ago, the bilateral relationship has moved forward steadily, he said.

"In particular, recent years have witnessed the good momentum of fast growth of China-New Zealand comprehensive cooperative relations. The two sides have maintained close political contacts and enjoyed deepening and fruitful cooperation of mutual benefit and friendly exchanges in the fields of economy, trade, culture and people-to-people communication," he said.

"China always views its relationship with New Zealand from a strategic and long-term perspective," the Chinese vice premier said, adding he is confident that, through joint efforts of both sides, new and even greater strides will be made in the development of the comprehensive cooperative ties between the two countries, to the benefit of the two peoples.

Administrative arrangements on educational cooperation, dairy products, temporary workers, and meat products will be signed in Wellington on Monday during the Chinese vice premier's visit.

Li arrived in Christchurch after concluding his official visit to Australia. After New Zealand, he will also visit Papua New Guinea.