China stands ready to deepen cooperation with New Zealand in such areas as trade and judicial affairs, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said Monday while meeting with his New Zealand counterpart John Key.

China is willing to work with New Zealand to enhance political mutual trust and maintain high-level exchanges, and deepen cooperation in areas including economy and trade, and judicial affairs and law enforcement, Li said. Li met with Key on the sidelines of the ongoing 71st session of the United NationsGeneral Assembly that opened earlier last week.

China is also ready to increase communication and coordination with New Zealand in multilateral affairs and promote a healthy and stable development of relations between the two countries, the premier said.

While noting that relations between the two countries are going smoothly, Key said New Zealand highly values relations with China, and is willing to boost cooperation with China in areas including economy and trade, and judicial affairs and law enforcement so as to make further progress in promoting bilateral relations.

New Zealand, currently holding the rotating presidency of the UN Security Council, appreciates the constructive role China plays in international affairs, Key said.

Li and Key also exchanged views on the issues concerning Syriaand the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue.