WELLINGTON, Nov.12 -- New Zealand Prime Minister John Key said Wednesday a new consulate-general in the southwest Chinese city of Chengdu, Sichuan Province, would help meet the joint goal for increased trade.

"New Zealand is among the first group of countries in the world to open a diplomatic post in Chengdu," Key, who opened the office Wednesday, said in a statement from his office.

"This is a natural continuation of our expanding and increasingly close relationship with China," said Key.

"China is now our largest export market, as well as our largest source of imports. Two-way trade with China exceeded 20 billion NZ dollars (15.68 billion U.S. dollars) annually in May this year, ahead of the 2015 target. Earlier this year, President Xi and I agreed to set a new and more ambitious target of 30 billion NZ dollars (23.53 billion U.S. dollars) by 2020."

The Chengdu post would have a staff of six and would move from the current temporary site into permanent premises by 2016.