Free Trade Agreement between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of New Zealand
New Zealand Yearbook of International Law, Vol. 5, pp. 65-90, 2008
26 Pages Posted: 8 Aug 2014
Date Written: 2008
Abstract
The Free Trade Agreement between the Government of the People’s Republic of China and the Government of New Zealand was signed in Beijing on 7 April 2008 in the presence of the Chinese Premier, Wen Jiabao, and the Prime Minister of New Zealand, Helen Clark. This was a significant event for both countries and in particular for the government of New Zealand. Both countries are parties to a number of other trade agreements but for both, this treaty represents something new. For a small country like New Zealand to have a free trade agreement with the largest country in the world, which is also one of its major trading partners, is a considerable achievement. For the People’s Republic of China too, this document has particular significance because it is its first free trade agreement with a developed country. The Agreement is marked by a remarkable mutuality and lack of conditionality.
Keywords: free trade, China
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