Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and visiting New Zealand Prime Minister John Key agreed in Beijing on Wednesday to further bilateral cooperation in diversified areas including new energy and food security.

In their talks at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Wen hailed the progress of China-New Zealand relations over the years, saying the strengthening of bilateral ties has contributed to the harmony and prosperity of the Asian-Pacific region.

He called on the two countries to cement trust and coordination on the basis of respect, mutual benefits and seeking common grounds while putting aside differences.

Wen extended a warm welcome to John Key whose trip to China will take him to Shanghai to attend the New Zealand Pavilion's "National Day" at the World Expo. He hoped Key's tour would further strengthen understanding and friendship between the two peoples.

In response, Key told Wen his country attaches great importance to the Shanghai Expo and he is glad that he would be at events marking his country's "National Day" at the Expo.

Wen and Key agreed the two sides have experienced rapid growth of cooperation in trade, technology and food security, pledging to seriously implement the bilateral Free Trade Agreement (FTA) to explore cooperation in diversified fields including new energy, environmental protection, the green economy and food security.

In October 2008, China signed an FTA with New Zealand, the first of its kind between China and a developed country. The pact has helped boost trade and investment between China and New Zealand and brought substantial benefits to enterprises in both countries.

Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping also met with Key later Wednesday. The two sides reviewed Xi's fruitful visit to New Zealand last month, during which several cooperation agreements were signed.

The Chinese government values the ties with New Zealand and regards the country as an important cooperative partner, Xi said, noting that the two nations enjoy broad common interests in promoting domestic and regional economic growth and safeguarding regional and world peace and stability.

Xi pledged to work with New Zealand to maintain close exchanges in various levels, respect each other's core interests and major concerns, expand cooperation with regard to the economy, environmental protection and new energy, and strengthen coordination in international and regional affairs.

Key said New Zealand is ready to advance cooperation with China in various sectors to lift bilateral ties to a new level.

Key also reiterated his country's adherence to the one-China policy.