New Zealand's Ambassador to China, John Mckinnon, stated in an exclusive interview that the China-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA), signed in 2008, has more than doubled bilateral trade, with annual trade now exceeding NZ$20 billion (approximately 94.258 billion yuan). Although exports of dairy and forest products to China have declined in recent years, traditional sectors such as fish, meat, and wool continue to be supported by the Chinese market, and the FTA upgrade should cover all areas. The rising consumer demand from China's middle class and urbanisation give New Zealand products a competitive edge.

Services have become a new growth area, with New Zealand signing a government-to-government television co-production agreement with China, and film companies beginning collaborations on animation and documentaries. Tourism generates NZ$11 billion in annual revenue (approximately 52.058 billion yuan), with Chinese visitor numbers second only to Australia and more than 30 direct flights per week (up from just over 20 last year). New Zealand's average annual economic growth rate over the next five years is forecast at 2.8%, with the Treasury projecting 3.2% growth in 2018.

The ambassador emphasised New Zealand's commitment to openness and close cooperation with China in primary industry technology and environmental protection—for example, two scientists travelled to Xinjiang to exchange sheep gene technology, and experts visited China to discuss water quality protection.

For New Zealand SME owners, the interview sends a clear signal: the FTA upgrade negotiations will bring new tariff concessions and market access for traditional primary products such as wool, meat, and fish, offsetting the decline in dairy exports. Services represent the next big opportunity—film co-production and TV programme agreements create openings in content creation, post-production, and copyright cooperation, allowing businesses to supply sets, equipment, or special effects to Chinese studios. In tourism, year-round Chinese visitor dispersal and increased flights directly benefit hotels, ground operators, transport, and experience-based offerings (e.g., Maori cultural performances, farm tours).

Note the ambassador's mention of 2.8%–3.2% economic growth; New Zealand does not adopt protectionist policies, so import competition (e.g., Chinese manufactured goods) may intensify, but export-oriented firms should seize Chinese middle-class demand for high-quality food and environmental technology. Specific actions: 1) monitor FTA upgrade negotiations for tariff adjustments and re-price accordingly; 2) work with Film New Zealand or Tourism New Zealand to develop immersive cultural tourism products; 3) assess qualifications for exporting environmental technology to China.

Keywords: China-NZ economic & trade cooperation, FTA, service sector, tourism cooperation, film co-production, John Mckinnon, primary industries, economic growth, more flights, environmental exchange

新西兰驻华大使麦康年（John Mckinnon）接受专访，指出中新自由贸易协定（FTA）2008年签署后推动双边贸易额增长超两倍，目前年贸易额超200亿新西兰元（约942.58亿元人民币）。尽管近年乳制品和林业产品对华出口下降，但鱼类、肉类、羊毛等传统产业仍受中国市场支撑，FTA升级应覆盖所有领域。中国中产阶级消费需求强劲，城镇化使新西兰产品具有竞争优势。

服务业成为新增长点，新西兰已与中国签署政府间电视合拍协议，电影公司开始在动画片和纪录片领域合作。旅游业年收入110亿新西兰元（约520.58亿元人民币），中国游客数量仅次于澳大利亚，每周有30多个直飞航班（去年仅20多个）。新西兰未来5年平均经济增长率预计2.8%，财政部预测2018年增速达3.2%。

大使强调新西兰坚持对外开放，在初级产业科技和环保领域与中国密切合作，例如两位科学家赴新疆交流羊基因技术，专家访华交流水质保护。

对新西兰中小企业主而言，专访释放的明确信号是：中新FTA升级谈判将为传统初级产品（如羊毛、肉类、鱼类）带来新的关税优惠和市场准入，抵消乳制品出口下滑的影响。服务业是下一个风口——电影合拍、电视节目协议意味着内容创作、后期制作、版权合作机会增多，企业可对接中国影视公司提供场景、设备或特效服务。旅游方面，中国游客全年分散出游、航班加密，直接利好酒店、地接、交通和体验类项目（如毛利文化表演、农场游）。

注意大使提到经济增速2.8%-3.2%，新西兰不采取保护政策，因此进口竞争（如中国制造品）可能加剧，但出口型企业应抓住中国中产阶级对高质量食品和环保科技的需求。具体行动：1）关注FTA升级谈判详情，针对关税调整重新报盘；2）与电影局或旅游局合作开发沉浸式文旅产品；3）评估环保技术出口中国的资质。

关键词: 中新经贸, 自贸协定, 服务业, 旅游合作, 电影合拍, 麦康年, 初级产业, 经济增长, 航班加密, 环保交流

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Source: Online Search