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

Summary in Chinese | 摘要

2025年3月25日至26日，中国—新西兰自贸协定服务贸易负面清单首轮谈判在北京举行。双方就谈判原则、范围、架构等进行深入沟通，取得积极进展。中新自贸协定于2008年4月签署，同年10月生效；2021年1月签署升级议定书；2024年6月启动服务贸易负面清单谈判。

下一步，双方将推进谈判，提升贸易投资合作水平。

Commentary in Chinese | 评论

对新西兰中小企业主而言，服务贸易负面清单谈判意味着未来进入中国服务市场的门槛可能降低。若达成协议，新西兰的教育、旅游、金融、IT等服务提供商将获得更明确的市场准入规则，减少不确定性。但需注意，负面清单的开放程度和具体行业限制尚待谈判结果，短期内可能不会立即带来业务增长。

建议企业关注后续谈判动态，提前评估自身服务是否符合中国市场需求，并准备合规材料。同时，考虑到中新自贸协定升级后货物贸易已较成熟，服务贸易领域的突破或将成为新的增长点。不过，中方在敏感领域的保护倾向可能限制部分行业，企业应避免过度乐观，理性规划。

关键词: 中新自贸协定, 服务贸易, 负面清单, 首轮谈判, 北京, 2025年3月, 市场准入, 贸易投资

Source: Hexun