China and New Zealand Expanded FTA to Strengthen Ties

Chinese Premier Li Kequiang and New Zealand’s Prime Minister Bill English have agreed to expand the current Free Trade Agreement (FTA) to strengthen cooperation between both nations. Li agreed with the changes in FTA started since 2008 after signing nine pacts with English that would implement the renewed FTA on April 25. Both governments also pledged to work hand -in-hand with the expansion strategy of China called as “One Belt, One Road”.

New Zealand is the first Western country to approve an FTA with China as they are the second largest trading partner of New Zealand. They were also the primary country to join the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) of China that assisted both the United Kingdom and Australia.

China also intends to cut steel production and exports to a minimal amount with New Zealand while the accusation of steel dumping was toned down by English.The South China Sea issue was also raised but was deemed to be sensitive but concluded that this would not have an impact on the relationship.