BOAO, Hainan - Chinese President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister of New Zealand John Key on Sunday agreed to boost relations between the two countries.

The two leaders reached the agreement during their talks on bilateral ties on the sidelines of the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2013 that opened on Sunday in Boao, a coastal town in south China's Hainan province.

As China-New Zealand relations have matured, new achievements have been scored in bilateral ties and the two countries and their people are benefiting from this progress, Xi said.

Xi expressed his appreciation for New Zealand's efforts to boost relations between the two countries and stressed that China values and cherishes its friendship with New Zealand.

He also called on the two sides to take hold of opportunities under the new circumstances, enhance mutual understanding and cooperation, and promote the China-New Zealand comprehensive partnership to a higher level.

This year marks the fifth anniversary of the signing of the China-New Zealand free trade agreement (FTA), the first of its kind that China has inked with a developed country, Xi said.

The FTA deal has effectively promoted bilateral cooperation, Xi said, calling on the two countries to make more efforts in the implementation and utilization of the agreement and to deepen bilateral economic and trade collaboration.

Moreover, Xi said New Zealand has unique advantages in animal husbandry, green economy and high-tech industries, and the two sides should seek new areas for cooperation in agricultural technology, food safety, energy conservation and environmental protection, as well as the creative industries and financial sectors.

The Chinese government also encourages enterprises in the country to invest in New Zealand, Xi said.

Both China and New Zealand are important countries in the Asia-Pacific region, and China is willing to enhance communication and cooperation with New Zealand on matters such as building a regional cooperation mechanism and advancing the cause of economic integration, Xi said.

To promote regional peace, stability and prosperity, Xi said China is willing to join hands with New Zealand in enhancing exchanges, trust and cooperation among countries in the Asia-Pacific region.

Key expressed his appreciation for the development of relations between the two countries, noting that New Zealand attaches great importance to its comprehensive partnership with China and respects China's core interests.

He said New Zealand hopes to promote dialogues and exchanges as well as economic and trade cooperation with China.

The New Zealand government welcomes Chinese enterprises to invest in the country and explore opportunities for cooperation in the forestry and dairy industries, Key said.

Key called for further support from China in international organizations as well as a stronger partnership with China on issues concerning affairs in the Asia-Pacific region and the protection of marine resources in the Antarctic region.