China signs free trade deal with New Zealand [View All]

Source: AP

BEIJING — China and New Zealand signed a sweeping free trade agreement Monday, the rising economic giant's first such pact with a developed country.

The deal, signed by Chinese Commerce Minister Chen Deming and his New Zealand counterpart, Phil Goff, will give New Zealand access to one of the world's fastest-growing economies.

New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark, who attended the signing with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, said the agreement is the result of three years of negotiations.

“The signing of this agreement is a very significant achievement for New Zealand. It opens up new opportunities for businesses looking to engage with, or grow their existing links with, China,” Ms. Clark said in a statement.

Read more: http://www.reportonbusiness.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080407.wchinanztrade0407/BNStory/Business/home/

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It would be great if NZ could sell some of their clean environment and culture of (relative) fairness and equality to a country that desperately needs it, especially since they will get cheaper toys in return.