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The '''China-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement''' is a bilateral [[free trade]] agreement signed between the [[People's Republic of China]] and [[New Zealand]] in April 2008. It covers a wide range of issues including defence, law and governance, human rights, multilateral trade, regional security, international fisheries management, and developmental assistance. It is the first free trade agreement that China has signed with any country.<ref name="ThePress7April08">{{cite news|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/4466946a27013.html|name=Landmark Chinese trade pact signed|author=Dan Eaton|publisher=[[The Press]]|location=Beijing|date=7 April 2008|{{subst:adt}}}}</ref> If ratified by the New Zealand parliament it will be phased in gradually over 12 years, fully coming into force in 2019.
The '''China-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement''' is a bilateral [[free trade]] agreement signed between the [[People's Republic of China]] and [[New Zealand]] in April 2008. It covers a wide range of issues including defence, law and governance, human rights, multilateral trade, regional security, international fisheries management, and developmental assistance. It is the first free trade agreement that China has signed with any country in the developed word.<ref name="ThePress7April08">{{cite news|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/4466946a27013.html|title=Landmark Chinese trade pact signed|author=Dan Eaton|publisher=[[The Press]]|location=Beijing|date=7 April 2008|{{subst:adt}}}}</ref> For New Zealand, it is the largest trade deal since the [[Closer Economic Relations]] agreement with [[Australia]] was signed in [[1983]].<ref name="FTA-Forbes">{{cite news| url=http://www.forbes.com/markets/2008/04/07/china-nz-fta-markets-econ-cx_jc_0407markets2.html |title=Landmark Trade Deal Struck By China, New Zealand |date=[[2008-04-07]] |accessdate=2008-04-07 |publisher=Forbes.com}}</ref> If ratified by the New Zealand parliament it will be phased in gradually over 12 years, fully coming into force in [[2019]].


==Agreements==
==Agreements==
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The deal was welcomed by a number of New Zealand exporters including the dairy cooperative [[Fonterra]]<ref>{{cite press release|url=http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0804/S00127.htm|title=Fonterra Welcomes Free Trade Agreement with China|publisher=[[Fonterra]]|date=7 April 2008|{{subst:adt}}}}</ref> and the New Zealand Seafood Industry Council<ref>{{cite press release|url=http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0804/S00124.htm|title=FTA with China opens opportunities for seafood|publisher=Seafood Industry Council|location=New Zealand|date=7 April 2008|{{subst:adt}}}}</ref>.
The deal was welcomed by a number of New Zealand exporters including the dairy cooperative [[Fonterra]]<ref>{{cite press release|url=http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0804/S00127.htm|title=Fonterra Welcomes Free Trade Agreement with China|publisher=[[Fonterra]]|date=7 April 2008|{{subst:adt}}}}</ref> and the New Zealand Seafood Industry Council<ref>{{cite press release|url=http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0804/S00124.htm|title=FTA with China opens opportunities for seafood|publisher=Seafood Industry Council|location=New Zealand|date=7 April 2008|{{subst:adt}}}}</ref>.


New Zealand Council of Trade Unions opposed the inclusion of workforce in the trade agreement stating that there is potential for skilled Chinese workers to be exploited and underpaid.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://tv3.co.nz/VideoBrowseAll/PoliticsVideo/tabid/370/Default.aspx||date=7 April 2008|{{subst:adt}}|format=Windows Media Player video|quote=We need to have some industry standards developed to ensure that these workers are protected and not exploited in their skills and not being paid the minimum wage – New Zealand Council of Trade Unions vice President Sharon Clair}}</ref>
New Zealand Council of Trade Unions opposed the inclusion of workforce in the trade agreement stating that there is potential for skilled Chinese workers to be exploited and underpaid.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://tv3.co.nz/VideoBrowseAll/PoliticsVideo/tabid/370/Default.aspx|title=Historic trade deal signed with China|date=7 April 2008|{{subst:adt}}|format=Windows Media Player video|quote=We need to have some industry standards developed to ensure that these workers are protected and not exploited in their skills and not being paid the minimum wage ''– New Zealand Council of Trade Unions vice President Sharon Clair''}}</ref>

While the FTA enjoys the support of [[New Zealand Labour Party|Labour]] and [[New Zealand National Party|National]], New Zealand's two largest political parties, the [[Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand|Green Party]] and the [[Māori Party]] oppose the agreement.<ref>[[Hone Harawira]], [http://www.maoriparty.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1666&Itemid=2 Maori Party opposes FTA with China]. Press release, Maori Party, 1 April 2008.</ref><ref>[[Russel Norman]], [http://www.greens.org.nz/searchdocs/PR11731.html Trading away our integrity – for what?]. Press release, Green Party, 7 April 2008.</ref> [[New Zealand First]] has not yet made an announcement, but due to recent remarks by the party's deputy leader [[Peter Brown (politician)|Peter Brown]] there has been speculation in the New Zealand media that the party will oppose the deal.<ref name="NZPA_PoliticalSupport">{{cite news|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/4468260a6160.html|title=How numbers stack up for a free trade deal|date=7 April 2008|{{subst:adt}}|publisher=[[NZPA]]}}</ref>


Members of the [[Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand|Green Party]] protested against the signing of the deal, [[Keith Locke]] said that easier access to cheap Chinese workforce could undermine New Zealand workers.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/410965/1691450|title=Openings for Chinese workers|date=7 April 2008|{{subst:adt}}|publisher=[[TVNZ]]}}</ref>
Members of the [[Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand|Green Party]] protested against the signing of the deal, [[Keith Locke]] said that easier access to cheap Chinese workforce could undermine New Zealand workers.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/410965/1691450|title=Openings for Chinese workers|date=7 April 2008|{{subst:adt}}|publisher=[[TVNZ]]}}</ref>


==History==
==History==

On [[19 November]] [[2004]] the [[Prime Minister of New Zealand]], [[Helen Clark]] and [[President of the People's Republic of China]], [[Hu Jintao]] announced the commencement of negotiations on an FTA at the [[APEC]] Leaders meeting in [[Santiago]], [[Chile]]. The first round of negotiations was held in [[December 2004]]. Fifteen rounds took place before the FTA was signed by New Zealand's Minister of Trade [[Phil Goff]] and the Chinese Minister of Commerce [[Chen Deming]] at the [[Great Hall of the People]] in [[Beijing]] on 7th April 2008. <ref name="ThePress7April08"/><ref name="FTAChinaDaily">{{cite news| url=http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2008-04/07/content_6594515.htm |title= China, New Zealand ink FTA today |date=[[2008-04-07]] |accessdate=2008-04-07 |publisher=chinadaily.com.cn}}</ref> The FTA agreement with China will be the largest for New Zealand since the [[Closer Economic Relations|Closer Economic Agreement]] with [[Australia]] was signed in [[1983]]. Clark said it will be the first time China has entered into a free trade agreement with a [[developed country]].<ref name="FTA-Beehive">{{cite news| url=http://feeds.beehive.govt.nz/release/historic%2bfirst%2b-%2bnz-china%2bfree%2btrade%2bagreement%2bsigned |title=Historic first - NZ-China Free trade Agreement signed |date=[[2008-04-07]] |accessdate=2008-04-07 |publisher=New Zealand Government}}</ref>
The agreement has taken over three years to negotiate. On [[19 November]] [[2004]] [[Helen Clark]] and [[President of the People's Republic of China]], [[Hu Jintao]] announced the commencement of negotiations towards an FTA at the [[APEC]] Leaders meeting in [[Santiago]], [[Chile]]. The first round of negotiations was held in [[December 2004]]. Fifteen rounds took place before the FTA was signed in April 2008 by New Zealand's Minister of Trade [[Phil Goff]] and the Chinese Minister of Commerce [[Chen Deming]] at the [[Great Hall of the People]] in [[Beijing]].<ref name="ThePress7April08"/><ref name="FTAChinaDaily">{{cite news| url=http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2008-04/07/content_6594515.htm |title= China, New Zealand ink FTA today |date=[[2008-04-07]] |accessdate=2008-04-07 |publisher=chinadaily.com.cn}}</ref>

The FTA agreement with China will be the largest for New Zealand since the [[Closer Economic Relations|Closer Economic Agreement]] with [[Australia]] was signed in [[1983]]. Clark said it will be the first time China has entered into a free trade agreement with a [[developed country]].<ref name="FTA-Beehive">{{cite news| url=http://feeds.beehive.govt.nz/release/historic%2bfirst%2b-%2bnz-china%2bfree%2btrade%2bagreement%2bsigned |title=Historic first - NZ-China Free trade Agreement signed |date=[[2008-04-07]] |accessdate=2008-04-07 |publisher=New Zealand Government}}</ref>


==References==
==References==

Revision as of 10:47, 7 April 2008

The China-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement is a bilateral free trade agreement signed between the People's Republic of China and New Zealand in April 2008. It covers a wide range of issues including defence, law and governance, human rights, multilateral trade, regional security, international fisheries management, and developmental assistance. It is the first free trade agreement that China has signed with any country in the developed word.[1] For New Zealand, it is the largest trade deal since the Closer Economic Relations agreement with Australia was signed in 1983.[2] If ratified by the New Zealand parliament it will be phased in gradually over 12 years, fully coming into force in 2019.

Agreements

By October 2007, 37% of Chinese exports to New Zealand and 35% of New Zealand exports to China are expected to become tariff free. All tariffs for Chinese exports to New Zealand will be eliminated by 2016, and 96% of New Zealand exports to China will be tariff free by 2019.[1]

The deal also allows 1800 specialised workers to come from China to New Zealand for a period of upto three years. This however will be limited to approved occupations and to a maximum of 100 such workers in any sector.[1][3]

Reactions

New Zealand

The deal was welcomed by a number of New Zealand exporters including the dairy cooperative Fonterra[4] and the New Zealand Seafood Industry Council[5].

New Zealand Council of Trade Unions opposed the inclusion of workforce in the trade agreement stating that there is potential for skilled Chinese workers to be exploited and underpaid.[6]

While the FTA enjoys the support of Labour and National, New Zealand's two largest political parties, the Green Party and the Māori Party oppose the agreement.[7][8] New Zealand First has not yet made an announcement, but due to recent remarks by the party's deputy leader Peter Brown there has been speculation in the New Zealand media that the party will oppose the deal.[9]

Members of the Green Party protested against the signing of the deal, Keith Locke said that easier access to cheap Chinese workforce could undermine New Zealand workers.[10]

History

The agreement has taken over three years to negotiate. On 19 November 2004 Helen Clark and President of the People's Republic of China, Hu Jintao announced the commencement of negotiations towards an FTA at the APEC Leaders meeting in Santiago, Chile. The first round of negotiations was held in December 2004. Fifteen rounds took place before the FTA was signed in April 2008 by New Zealand's Minister of Trade Phil Goff and the Chinese Minister of Commerce Chen Deming at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.[1][11]

The FTA agreement with China will be the largest for New Zealand since the Closer Economic Agreement with Australia was signed in 1983. Clark said it will be the first time China has entered into a free trade agreement with a developed country.[12]

References

  1. ^ a b c d Dan Eaton (7 April 2008). "Landmark Chinese trade pact signed". Beijing: The Press. {{cite news}}: Text "{{subst:adt}}" ignored (help)
  2. ^ "Landmark Trade Deal Struck By China, New Zealand". Forbes.com. 2008-04-07. Retrieved 2008-04-07. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  3. ^ "Sealing the deal with China". TVNZ. 7 April 2008. {{cite news}}: Text "{{subst:adt}}" ignored (help)
  4. ^ "Fonterra Welcomes Free Trade Agreement with China" (Press release). Fonterra. 7 April 2008. {{cite press release}}: Text "{{subst:adt}}" ignored (help)
  5. ^ "FTA with China opens opportunities for seafood" (Press release). New Zealand: Seafood Industry Council. 7 April 2008. {{cite press release}}: Text "{{subst:adt}}" ignored (help)
  6. ^ "Historic trade deal signed with China" (Windows Media Player video). 7 April 2008. We need to have some industry standards developed to ensure that these workers are protected and not exploited in their skills and not being paid the minimum wage – New Zealand Council of Trade Unions vice President Sharon Clair {{cite news}}: Text "{{subst:adt}}" ignored (help)
  7. ^ Hone Harawira, Maori Party opposes FTA with China. Press release, Maori Party, 1 April 2008.
  8. ^ Russel Norman, Trading away our integrity – for what?. Press release, Green Party, 7 April 2008.
  9. ^ "How numbers stack up for a free trade deal". NZPA. 7 April 2008. {{cite news}}: Text "{{subst:adt}}" ignored (help)
  10. ^ "Openings for Chinese workers". TVNZ. 7 April 2008. {{cite news}}: Text "{{subst:adt}}" ignored (help)
  11. ^ "China, New Zealand ink FTA today". chinadaily.com.cn. 2008-04-07. Retrieved 2008-04-07. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  12. ^ "Historic first - NZ-China Free trade Agreement signed". New Zealand Government. 2008-04-07. Retrieved 2008-04-07. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)

See Also

External links

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