BEIJING, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Tuesday congratulated Bill English on his new role as prime minister of New Zealand.

In a message, Li said that as important countries in the Asia-Pacific region, China and New Zealand have broad common interests.

In recent years, China-New Zealand relations have developed smoothly and their fruitful cooperation in various fields has brought tangible benefits to the two peoples, said Li.

Next year marks the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and New Zealand, Li noted.

The Chinese premier said he looked forward to working with his New Zealand counterpart to expand friendly exchanges and pragmatic cooperation between the two nations on the basis of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit, so as to lift the China-New Zealand comprehensive strategic partnership to a new level.