WELLINGTON, Nov. 20  -- Chinese President Xi Jinping met here Thursday with New Zealand Governor-General Jerry Mateparae and the two pledged to promote the paradigm-setting relations between their countries.

Expressing his pleasure in visiting New Zealand again, Xi said China and New Zealand are good friends and the two countries have carried out comprehensive exchanges and cooperation based on mutual respect and benefit.

The China-New Zealand relationship, Xi said, stands at the forefront of China's relations with developed countries and sets a good example for interaction between countries of different political systems, history, culture and stages of development.

Bilateral cooperation is blessed with many opportunities and bright prospects, Xi said, adding that he looks forward to working with the New Zealand side to chart the future course for China-New Zealand relations so as to bring more benefits to both peoples.

For his part, Mateparae said that since this is Xi's third visit to the country, he should be regarded as a family member, as the Maori tradition goes.

The governor-general also expressed the hope that the two countries will strengthen collaboration, expand people-to-people exchanges and deepen the friendship between their peoples.

Prior to the talks, Xi was greeted with a traditional Maori welcoming ceremony upon his arrival at Government House, which was followed by an official one.

Xi arrived here earlier in the day from Auckland, where he kicked off the ongoing state visit to New Zealand on Wednesday, his first since taking over the presidency in March 2013.

Earlier in the three-nation South Pacific tour, he attended a Group of Twenty summit in the Australian city of Brisbane and paid a state visit to Australia. The trip will take him to Fiji later.