NZ-China economic ties strong

(chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2009-08-25 14:04

Despite a global recession, economic relations between New Zealand and China remain strong, in part because of a free trade agreement signed a year ago between the two countries, Carl Worker, New Zealand's Ambassador to China said in an exclusive interview with the China Daily's website on August 20, 2009.

As of the end of June, the two countries did about US$6 billion in bilateral trade, up around 25% from last year. China is now New Zealand's third largest trading partner, its second biggest source of imports and the country's fourth biggest export market.

"It's been a good start," Worker said. "the strong commitment from both countries is to implement the [free trade] agreement very thoroughly."

China and New Zealand also have strong political, educational, and scientific links.

China was the second country New Zealand's Prime Minister, John Key, visited after Australia, and 30,000 Chinese students study in New Zealand, the Ambassador said.

"If we can provide generations of young Chinese people with good education and good experiences in New Zealand, they will become bridge-builders between our two countries," Worker said.

The two countries also participate in extensive technological and cultural exchanges.

"We are different countries, in many many ways… but the important thing which I think is consistent is that we handle on the basis of a lot of underline of good will and commitment to the future, and that's been the spirit, and it will continue to be the spirit," he said.

"I want to see China succeed and do well, because that's good for China, and it's terribly good for New Zealand, and the region and the world."

Ambassador Worker became the New Zealand Ambassador to China in April of this year. He has previously served twice at the New Zealand Embassy in Beijing, as Deputy Head of Mission from 1992 to 1994, and before that as Second Political Secretary from 1984 to 1986. Ambassador Worker also was the New Zealand Consul General in Hong Kong from 1994 to 1998. He studied at Auckland University and Oxford University, and is married with four children.