June 5, Beijing — MOFCOM vice minister and chief international trade negotiator
Li Chenggang and New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade deputy
secretary Mao Rui co-chaired the 34th China-New Zealand economic and trade joint
committee. Li urged joint defense of the WTO‑centred multilateral trading system
and closer coordination under APEC and other regional frameworks to support
regional and global stability. Mao said China remains New Zealand’s largest
trading partner and top source of international students, called continued
Chinese growth is important for New Zealand, and said Wellington is willing to
expand bilateral trade, accelerate negotiations on a services negative list, and
welcome more Chinese investment; he also congratulated China on hosting the
recent APEC trade ministers’ meeting and sought strengthened communication in
regional and multilateral fora.
