The relationship with China has many ‘firsts’, most with a trade component. Both countries continue to express a commitment to trade liberalisation. However, these are challenging times both in terms of the multilateral trade agenda and the regional trade and economic architecture.
“It is timely that some of our leading trade policy experts engage with Chinese colleagues on the ways in which New Zealand and China’s priorities are aligning in the current environment. Where do we diverge in our thinking on key trade policy issues and why, and how we are talking about these important issues?” says the Foundation’s Director of Research and Engagement Pip McLachlan, who is joining the delegation.
Issues on the agenda include challenges to the multilateral trading system and the emerging regional economic and trade architecture. New Zealand will be the host for Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting in 2021.
“There is plenty of thinking underway in the region on what a ‘future vision’ for APEC might look like after 2020. This is a good opportunity to swap notes with Chinese interlocutors on an issue of importance for New Zealand,” says Ms McLachlan
The trade policy implications of the Belt and Road Initiative is also expected to be a topic of discussions.
Foundation Chair, Hon John Luxton CNZM QSO will lead the delegation. The other delegation members are Jason Young (Director, New Zealand Contemporary China Research Centre); Stephanie Honey (trade policy consultant and Associate Director, International Business Forum); Robert Scollay (Director, APEC Studies Centre, University of Auckland); and David Pine (Representative, New Zealand China Council).
ENDS
For more information contact senior communications adviser Janryll Fernandez