In a signed article published on the New Zealand Herald on November 19, 2014 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in New Zealand the same evening -- Chinese President Xi Jinping called for joint efforts with New Zealand to work for "an even better future" of bilateral relations. He lauded the friendship between the two peoples and "historic strides forward" in their bilateral relations adding that "The two countries have set many records in China's relations with developed countries." Xi Jinping said."China is now the largest trading partner and source of international students for New Zealand. In particular, New Zealand is the first developed country to have signed and implemented a free trade agreement with China."