The visiting top party official of China's southern province of Guangdong expressed interest in furthering cooperation with New Zealand on Thursday.

Hu Chunhua, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and secretary of the Guangdong Provincial CPC Committee, met with John Key, New Zealand's prime minister.

Hu told Key that Guangdong, a vibrant economic engine of China, is willing to deepen cooperation with New Zealand in various sectors, adding new momentum into bilateral relations.

Hu's visit comes some six months after China and New Zealand elevated ties to comprehensive strategic partnership last November during Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit.

This visit aims at implementing the new partnership, Hu said, briefing Key on Guangdong's current economic situation and future development sketch.

Key noted that China remains a crucial partner to New Zealand given the size of its economy and market as China has become New Zealand's biggest trading partner.

The prime minister said participation in the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank was the latest move on bilateral cooperation.

Hu also met several New Zealand ministers and mayors of Wellington and Auckland while visiting the country's diary plants and creation industry companies.

Hu is set to meet with Chinese residents of Guangdong origin on Friday here and witness the signing of a bracket of economy cooperation agreements before wrapping up his visit on Saturday.