The ongoing official visit to New Zealand by Vietnam Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh receives extensive coverage by the local media.

New Zealand Press Association (NZPA) reported on Sept. 10 that Prime Minister John Key and Parliament Speaker Lockwood Smith welcomed Party General Secretary Manh with a traditional Maori challenge.

Vietnam is one of the most impressive economic performers in Southeast Asia, NZPA said, citing PM Key’s press release.

The two countries were hoping to work more closely in areas such as education, science and technology, he added.

Meanwhile, NZ Radio on the same day reported on the large entourage of the Vietnamese Party General Secretary that includes a deputy prime minister and ministers of trade, investment and education.

The radio also covered talks between Vietnamese leader Manh and PM Key as well as discussions between Vietnamese ministers and their counterparts from New Zealand.

Two leading press agencies in New Zealand – NZPA and Scoop.co.nz – run photos on the welcoming ceremony and activities of Party General Secretary Manh in the country./.