Luo Huining, the Shanxi province Party chief, met with a delegation from New Zealand on Sept 14 to discuss further cooperation between the two parties on agriculture, trade and tourism.

Trade and economic ties between the North China province and New Zealand have continually grown since China established diplomatic relations with New Zealand in 1972, said Luo.

He hoped that communication and cooperation in various industries, especially animal husbandry, will be advanced, since New Zealand is a world leader in the livestock industry.

"The Sino-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement has provided a solid basis for our economic partnership. We are grateful to the Shanxi authorities for their support and cooperation, and we will continue to work together in the fields of agriculture and tourism," echoed Hon Jo Goodhew, a minister for food safety in New Zealand’s Ministry for Primary Industries.

New Zealand's ties to Shanxi have deepened in recent years, particularly following the decision by Fonterra, one of the world's largest dairy manufacturers, to establish a pasture and a cow breeding center in Yingxian county.

The province is also encouraging more enterprises from New Zealand to invest in Yanmenguan Ecological Livestock Economic Zone in northern Shanxi.