On 5 June 2025, China’s Vice Minister of Commerce and Deputy International Trade Representative Li Chenggang and New Zealand’s Deputy Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade Raewyn Moss co-chaired the 34th China–New Zealand Joint Committee on Economy and Trade in Beijing. The two sides exchanged in-depth views on deepening bilateral economic and trade relations and strengthening regional and multilateral cooperation. Li Chenggang stated that under the strategic guidance of the two countries’ leaders, the potential for China–New Zealand economic and trade cooperation continues to be unleashed, and further efforts should be made to advance trade and investment cooperation and jointly push forward negotiations on a negative list for trade in services under the Free Trade Agreement.

He noted that under the current international economic and trade situation, China and New Zealand should jointly uphold the multilateral trading system centred on the World Trade Organization and enhance collaboration under regional frameworks such as APEC. Moss emphasised that China remains New Zealand’s largest trading partner and largest source of international students, and China’s sustained and stable economic growth is crucial for New Zealand. New Zealand is willing to continue expanding bilateral economic and trade cooperation, accelerate negotiations on the negative list for services trade, and welcome more Chinese enterprises to invest and do business in New Zealand.

New Zealand congratulated China on the successful hosting of the APEC Trade Ministers’ Meeting and expressed willingness to strengthen communication and coordination with China in regional and multilateral mechanisms. The Joint Committee provides an institutional guarantee for China–New Zealand economic and trade cooperation; specific negotiation progress will be announced subsequently.

For SME owners in New Zealand, this Joint Committee on Economy and Trade sends a positive signal. Progress in negotiations on a negative list for trade in services means that New Zealand businesses in education, tourism, professional services, and other fields may gain more relaxed market access in the future. For example, SMEs in areas such as study-abroad services, consulting, and design can monitor differences in negative lists across Chinese provinces and cities in advance, and plan their online and offline channels.

Meanwhile, the joint commitment to upholding the multilateral trading system helps maintain a stable export environment and reduces uncertainties around tariff and non-tariff barriers. However, note that China’s compliance requirements are becoming increasingly stringent—for instance, food safety and environmental standards—so exporters should track policy developments continuously. On the other hand, the Joint Committee’s encouragement of Chinese investment in New Zealand may bring competitive pressure to local SMEs, but may also provide opportunities for capital or technology through partnerships.

For instance, New Zealand’s speciality food, forestry, and tourism sectors can proactively engage with Chinese capital to develop joint brands. In summary, this Joint Committee injects policy stability into China–New Zealand economic and trade ties. Businesses should seize the window of services trade liberalisation while also strengthening their local market defences.

Keywords: China-New Zealand Joint Committee on Economy and Trade, Li Chenggang, Raewyn Moss, negative list for trade in services, bilateral economic and trade cooperation, multilateral trading system, APEC, largest trading partner, investment and business, trade negotiations

2025年6月5日，中国商务部国际贸易谈判代表兼副部长李成钢与新西兰外交贸易部副秘书长毛瑞在京共同主持召开第34届中新经贸联委会。双方就深化双边经贸关系、加强区域和多边领域合作深入交换意见。李成钢表示，在两国领导人战略引领下，中新经贸合作潜力持续释放，应进一步推动贸易投资合作，共同推进自贸协定服务贸易负面清单谈判。

他指出，当前国际经贸形势下，中新应共同捍卫以世贸组织为核心的多边贸易体制，加强在亚太经合组织等区域框架下的协作。毛瑞强调，中国长期保持新西兰最大贸易伙伴、最大留学生来源地地位，中国经济持续稳定增长对新方至关重要。新方愿继续扩大双边经贸合作，加紧推进服务贸易负面清单谈判，欢迎更多中国企业赴新投资兴业。

新方祝贺中方成功举办亚太经合组织贸易部长会议，愿同中方在区域和多边机制中加强沟通协调。联委会为中新经贸合作提供了机制保障，具体谈判进展有待后续公布。

对于新西兰中小企业主而言，本次经贸联委会释放出积极信号。服务贸易负面清单谈判的推进，意味着未来新西兰在教育、旅游、专业服务等领域可能获得更宽松的市场准入。例如，留学服务、咨询、设计等行业的中小企业可提前关注中国各省市的负面清单差异，布局线上线下渠道。

同时，双方共同捍卫多边贸易体制，有助于维持稳定的出口环境，减少关税和非关税壁垒的不确定性。不过，需注意中国国内合规要求趋严，如食品安全、环保标准等，出口企业应持续跟踪政策动态。另一方面，联委会鼓励中国企业赴新投资，可能给新西兰本地中小企业带来竞争压力，但也可能通过合作获得资金或技术。

例如，新西兰的特色食品、林业、旅游业可主动对接中国资本，发展合资品牌。总之，本次联委会为中新经贸注入政策稳定性，企业应抓住服务贸易开放窗口，同时做好本地市场防御。

关键词: 中新经贸联委会, 李成钢, 毛瑞, 服务贸易负面清单, 双边经贸合作, 多边贸易体制, 亚太经合组织, 最大贸易伙伴, 投资兴业, 贸易谈判

Photo by Thomas Zimball on Pexels

Source: Penguin Number