The Ministry of Commerce of China and the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade held the 34th China-New Zealand Economic and Trade Joint Commission in Beijing on 5 June. Co-chaired by China’s International Trade Negotiation Representative and Vice Minister Li Chenggang and New Zealand’s Deputy Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Trade Vangelis Vitalis, the meeting agreed to advance negotiations on a negative list for services trade under the bilateral Free Trade Agreement, and enhance communication and coordination within regional and multilateral frameworks such as APEC and WTO. Vitalis noted that China remains New Zealand’s largest trading partner and largest source of international students, and New Zealand stands ready to expand bilateral economic and trade cooperation, welcoming more Chinese enterprises to invest in New Zealand.

Li Chenggang emphasised that China and New Zealand should jointly uphold the multilateral trading system centred on the WTO, injecting positive energy into regional stability and prosperity. MOFCOM spokesperson He Yadong stated that the Joint Commission mechanism will be leveraged to promote bilateral trade and economic cooperation, making greater contributions to the China-New Zealand Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

For New Zealand small business owners, this Joint Commission signals two key points: first, the negative list negotiation for services trade will lower market access thresholds in sectors such as education, tourism, and professional services, opening new channels for New Zealand service exports; second, both sides reaffirming support for the multilateral trading system helps stabilise trade expectations. However, opportunities come with competition—Chinese advantages in investment and e-commerce may erode the traditional market share of New Zealand SMEs. We recommend monitoring the specific terms of the negative list, preparing early to tap into consumption upgrade markets in China’s second- and third-tier cities, and leveraging APEC platforms to expand regional supply chain cooperation.

Conclusion: the progress and specific openings of the negative list negotiations will determine actual benefits; enterprises should continuously track policy implementation.

Keywords: China-New Zealand Economic and Trade Joint Commission, Negative List for Services Trade, Free Trade Agreement, Bilateral Trade, Ministry of Commerce of China, New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Regional Cooperation, Multilateral Trading System

商务部与新西兰外交贸易部于6月5日在京召开第34届中新经贸联委会。会议由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共同主持。双方同意推进中新自贸协定服务贸易负面清单谈判，加强在亚太经合组织、世贸组织等区域和多边框架下的沟通协作。

毛瑞表示，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，新方愿继续扩大双边经贸合作，欢迎更多中国企业赴新投资兴业。李成钢强调，中新应共同捍卫以世贸组织为核心的多边贸易体制，为地区稳定繁荣注入正能量。商务部新闻发言人何亚东表示，下一步将用好联委会机制，推动双边经贸合作，为构建中新全面战略伙伴关系作出更大贡献。

对新西兰中小企业主而言，此次联委会释放两大信号：一是服务贸易负面清单谈判将降低教育、旅游、专业服务等行业的市场准入门槛，为新西兰服务出口开辟新通道；二是双方重申对多边贸易体制的支持，有助于稳定贸易预期。然而，机遇伴随竞争——中国企业在投资、电商领域的优势可能挤压新西兰中小企业传统份额。建议企业关注负面清单具体条款，提前布局中国二三线城市消费升级市场，同时借助APEC平台拓展区域供应链合作。

结语：负面清单谈判进度和具体开放领域将决定实际收益，企业应持续跟踪政策落地。

关键词: 中新经贸联委会, 服务贸易负面清单, 自贸协定, 双边贸易, 中国商务部, 新西兰外交贸易部, 区域合作, 多边贸易体制

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Source: Penguin Number