Free trade on Clark's China-Japan agenda

Hu Jintao

Prime Minister Helen Clark will meet Chinese President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao when she visits their country next week.

She will then travel to Japan as part of her May 30 to June 4 trip.

In China, New Zealand's fourth-largest trading partner, Helen Clark will discuss progress in free-trade agreement negotiations, and talk about regional and international issues.

New Zealand's exports to China totalled $1.74 billion last year.

Two-way trade stood at more than $5 billion.

"Negotiations on a a free-trade agreement are progressing well, with the third round of talks getting under way in Wellington last week," Helen Clark said.

While in Beijing she will also launch a China-New Zealand alumni network at a lunch with education sector representatives, and make industry visits.

In Japan, she expects to meet Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and other members of his Cabinet.

Japan is New Zealand's third-largest trade partner, with exports totalling $3.44 billion in the year to December 31 and imports totalling $3.89 billion.

Helen Clark will attend New Zealand's exhibition at the Aichi World Expo on June 3 and attend a reception aboard the naval frigate HMNZS Te Mana.

The Prime Minister will also address the Foreign Correspondents Club, meet New Zealand business people living in Japan, and attend the signing of a new arrangement to strengthen co-operation in science and technology between the two countries.

Meanwhile, the chairman of the National People's Congress of China, Wu Bangguo, will pay a visit to New Zealand from tomorrow until Saturday.

Mr Wu is the second-highest ranking politician after Hu Jintao, who last visited in 2003.

While here Mr Wu, the head of China's equivalent of Parliament, will meet Helen Clark and the Speaker, Margaret Wilson.

- NZPA