Cullen confident re NZ-China FTA
Radio New Zealand
Cullen confident re NZ-China FTA
11 September 2006
New Zealand Finance Minister Michael Cullen is confident trade talks with China can be completed successfully.
Dr Cullen met his Chinese counterpart in the Vietnamese capital Hanoi at a meeting of finance ministers from the Asia Pacific Economic Co-operation group.
He says the Chinese are keen to finalise a free trade deal with New Zealand.
Dr Cullen says the suspension of world trade talks give more impetus to talks with China and also to proposals to set up a regional free trade area.
But he says APEC members want to see the Doha round of talks rescued and that remains the top priority.