First Round of Negotiations on Negative List for Services Trade Under China-New Zealand FTA Held in Beijing

Summary

The first round of negotiations on the negative list for services trade under the China-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA) was held in Beijing from 25 to 26 March 2025. The two sides conducted in-depth discussions on negotiation principles, scope, and structure, achieving positive progress. The China-New Zealand FTA was signed in April 2008 and entered into force in October of the same year; the upgrade protocol was signed in January 2021; and negotiations on the negative list for services trade were launched in June 2024.

Going forward, both sides will advance negotiations to enhance trade and investment cooperation.

Commentary

For small and medium enterprise owners in New Zealand, the negative list negotiations for services trade mean potential lower barriers to entering the Chinese services market. If an agreement is reached, education, tourism, finance, IT and other service providers from New Zealand will gain clearer market access rules, reducing uncertainty. However, the degree of openness and specific industry restrictions under the negative list are yet to be determined by negotiation outcomes, and short-term business growth may not materialise immediately.

It is advisable for businesses to monitor subsequent negotiation progress, assess whether their services meet China's market demand, and prepare compliance documentation. Meanwhile, given that goods trade under the upgraded FTA is already mature, breakthroughs in services trade could become a new growth driver. Nonetheless, China's protective stance in sensitive areas may limit certain sectors, so businesses should avoid excessive optimism and plan rationally.

Keywords: China-New Zealand FTA, services trade, negative list, first round of negotiations, Beijing, March 2025, market access, trade and investment

Source: Hexun