Summary
The 34th meeting of the China-New Zealand Joint Trade and Economic Commission was held in Beijing on June 5, 2026. Co-chaired by China’s Vice Minister of Commerce Li Chenggang and New Zealand MFAT Deputy Secretary Vangelis Vitalis, the meeting covered deepening bilateral trade relations and strengthening regional and multilateral cooperation.
Li Chenggang highlighted that under the strategic guidance of both countries’ leaders following the important meeting between President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Luxon in June 2025, bilateral economic and trade cooperation potential continues to be released. Both sides agreed to jointly push forward FTA service trade negative list negotiations.
Vitalis noted that China has long maintained its position as New Zealand’s largest trading partner and largest source of international students. He welcomed more Chinese enterprises to invest in New Zealand and congratulated China on successfully hosting the APEC Trade Ministers’ Meeting.
Summary
第34届中新经贸联委会于2026年6月5日在北京举行。由中国商务部国际贸易谈判代表兼副部长李成钢和新西兰外交贸易部副秘书长毛瑞共同主持，双方就深化双边经贸关系和加强区域多边合作深入交换意见。
李成钢表示，在习近平主席与拉克森总理2025年6月重要会晤的战略引领下，中新经贸合作潜力持续释放。双方同意共同推进自贸协定服务贸易负面清单谈判。
毛瑞表示，中国长期保持新西兰最大贸易伙伴和最大留学生来源地地位，欢迎更多中国企业赴新投资，并祝贺中方成功举办亚太经合组织贸易部长会议。
Commentary
The 34th Joint Commission meeting carries particular significance as the first major bilateral economic dialogue since the leaders’ summit in June 2025. The explicit commitment to accelerating FTA service trade negative list negotiations signals both governments’ determination to move beyond the current positive list approach, which has been in place since the original FTA was signed in 2008.
Vitalis’s emphasis on China as New Zealand’s largest trading partner and his welcome of Chinese investment reflect the pragmatic economic stance that characterises Wellington’s approach. This is especially noteworthy given the backdrop of travel bans imposed by Beijing on four New Zealand MPs just days before the Paris trade talks referenced in this meeting cycle.
The mention of APEC is also significant. With China hosting APEC in 2026, New Zealand has a strong interest in ensuring that the regional trade agenda remains progressive and rules-based. The Joint Commission provides the institutional framework to coordinate positions on APEC outcomes.
Commentary
第34届经贸联委会具有特殊意义，这是自2025年6月两国领导人会晤以来首次重要的双边经济对话。明确承诺加速推进FTA服务贸易负面清单谈判，表明两国政府决心超越自2008年签署原版FTA以来一直沿用的正面清单模式。
毛瑞强调中国作为新西兰最大贸易伙伴的地位以及对中国投资的欢迎态度，反映了惠灵顿务实经济立场。考虑到此前北京对四名新西兰国会议员实施旅行禁令的背景，这一表态尤为值得关注。
提及APEC同样具有重要意义。中国2026年主办APEC，新西兰有强烈兴趣确保区域贸易议程保持进步性和规则性。经贸联委会为协调APEC成果立场提供了制度框架。
Source: Ministry of Commerce of China
Photo: Austin Distel via Unsplash
Disclaimer: This article is compiled from publicly available news sources for informational purposes only. The views expressed in the commentary section are analytical opinions and do not constitute investment or business advice. Readers should verify information independently before making decisions.
免责声明：本文仅供信息参考，不构成投资或商业建议。评论部分为分析性观点，读者应在做出决策前独立核实信息。