On April 7, 2006, having concluded his visit to New Zealand, Premier Wen Jiabao of the State Council of China stopped over in Auckland on his way to Cambodia. During his stopover, Wen met Michael Lee, Chairman of the Auckland Regional Council.

Wen said that the Auckland Region is the economic center of New Zealand and occupies an important position in the exchange and cooperation between China and New Zealand. In recent years the contacts between China and Auckland Region are getting increasingly close. Most of overseas Chinese students and compatriots in New Zealand concentrate here. Not long ago the Chinese Confucius Institute was established in Auckland and the programs of CCTV also landed here. All this will further enhance mutual understanding of both sides. Wen said that during my visit to New Zealand, the leaders of your country and I have reached a consensus on developing China-New Zealand comprehensive cooperation featuring mutual benefits and win-win results in the 21st century, which will create more favorable conditions for Auckland to expand the relations with China. He hoped that both sides could grasp opportunities, tap potentials and strengthen exchange and cooperation in field of science, technology, culture, education, environmental protection and clean energies so as to play a bigger role for the development of overall China-New Zealand relations.

Lee expressed that the Auckland Region is dedicated to developing the relationship with China and is willing to expand the exchange and cooperation with China in a wide range of areas.