China, NZ set canvas for cooperation

The Sino-New Zealand relationship, compared by President Xi Jinping to "an oil painting", took on a deeper, enriching hue on Friday as more brush strokes were applied, with a mayoral forum being set up and joint projects inaugurated.

The China-New Zealand Mayor Forum, launched in Auckland in the presence of Xi and New Zealand Prime Minister John Key, aims to enhance local government and provincial-level cooperation between the two countries.

More than 30 pairings of sister cities are shared between the nations, and mayors from seven Chinese cities and eight New Zealand cities took part in the launch ceremony.