NZ, China sign forestry co-operation deal

Summary

New Zealand and China signed a forestry co-operation agreement in Wellington on 14 May, Forestry Minister Shane Jones and Zhang Jianlong, head of China's National Forestry and Grassland Administration, announced. Jones said the agreement paved the way for future forestry co-operation and boosted bilateral trade. It strengthens links between the two governments, industry and research institutions, and provides a framework for co-operation on sustainability, wood processing and utilisation, and trade and investment.

Jones said New Zealand's forestry exports exceeded NZ$3.2 billion in 2018 and had become an important and growing part of the bilateral trade relationship, with Chinese market demand a key force supporting high prices and record exports. Some Chinese companies have chosen to invest in wood processing in New Zealand, and the government wants to further develop this area of co-operation. Jones said the agreement represented both sides' commitment to stronger co-operation and mutual benefit.

Commentary

New Zealand's forestry exports are heavily dependent on the Chinese market. In 2018, forestry products accounted for a substantial share of its total exports to China, with logs the largest category. Chinese demand has supported New Zealand log prices, but over-concentration also brings risks: a slowdown in Chinese construction activity or changes in trade policy could hit exports.

The agreement offers opportunities for small and medium-sized New Zealand forestry firms to enter China's processing market, but China is pushing to diversify timber imports and encourage domestic wood processing. New Zealand companies could consider joint ventures with Chinese firms to add value through deeper processing of local wood resources rather than exporting logs alone. Sustainable forestry certification may become key to future market access.

Keywords: New Zealand-China forestry co-operation agreement, Forestry Minister Shane Jones, Zhang Jianlong, Wellington, wood processing, forestry product exports, NZ$3.2 billion, bilateral trade, sustainability, mutual benefit

Summary in Chinese | 摘要

新西兰和中国签署林业协议 新西兰政府官网5月14日报道,新西兰林业部长琼斯与中国国家林业和草原局局长张建龙在惠灵顿共同签署林业合作协议。琼斯称,新签署的协议为新中未来推动林业合作和促进双边贸易发展铺平了道路。新协议支持并加强了新西兰与中国政府、行业及研究机构之间的联系,提供了可持续性、木材加工和利用、贸易和投资等方面的合作框架。

琼斯表示,2018年新西兰林业产品出口超过32亿新元,已成为新中双边贸易重要且不断增长的组成部分,来自中国的市场需求是支持新西兰林业产品高价格和创纪录出口的重要力量。目前有一些中国企业选择来新西兰投资木材加工生产,新西兰政府希望进一步推动发展该领域的新中合作。琼斯强调,新协议的签署代表着双方加强合作、致力于实现互利共赢的美好愿望和承诺。

Commentary in Chinese | 评论

新西兰林业出口高度依赖中国市场，2018年对华林业产品出口占其总出口的相当比例，原木是最大品类。中国需求支撑了新西兰原木价格，但过度集中也带来风险，如中国建筑活动放缓或贸易政策变化可能冲击出口。协议为新西兰中小林业企业提供了进入中国加工市场的机会，但需注意中国正推动木材进口多元化，并鼓励国内木材加工。

新西兰企业可考虑与中国企业合资，利用本地木材资源进行深加工，提升附加值，而非仅出口原木。同时，可持续林业认证可能成为未来市场准入的关键。

关键词: 中新林业合作协议, 林业部长琼斯, 张建龙, 惠灵顿, 木材加工, 林业产品出口, 32亿新元, 双边贸易, 可持续性, 互利共赢

Source: China Wood Protection Industry Association