By the end of last year, New Zealand's investment in China exceeded $900 million, while China's investment in New Zealand reached $82.06 million.

From January to May this year, bilateral trade increased 47.9 percent year on year. Of this, China's exports to New Zealand reached $940 million, up 25.8 percent, while its imports totaled $1.54 billion, up 65.6 percent.

These growing figures have made China New Zealand's second biggest trade partner, third biggest export market and second biggest source of imports. It is also the biggest buyer of New Zealand's dairy products.

Growing bilateral relations could have implications for the entire Asia-Pacific region, Xi said. China and New Zealand should strengthen coordination in the World Trade Organization, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum and the East Asia Summit in a bid to promote establishment of a more equitable international economic order.

During Xi's visit to Laos, 18 agreements were signed covering assistance and cooperation in trade, infrastructure construction, finance, power generation and power grid renovation.

China and Laos, the latter being a member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), should also boost trade by making full use of the China-ASEAN free trade area inaugurated in January this year, Xi said.

On relations with Bangladesh, Xi told the country's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina China and Bangladesh should expand cooperation in trade, water resource management, flood control and agriculture.

China will continue to provide assistance to Bangladesh, one of the "least developed countries" recognized by the UN. It will also encourage Chinese companies to invest in the South Asian nation.

To cement their cultural bonds, the two countries should support efforts to foster sister city relations by their cities, while strengthening exchanges between young people, Xi said.

China is also willing to work with Bangladesh to promote regional integration in South Asia. They will cooperate in dealing with global challenges such as the financial crisis, climate change, energy security and food security.