The looming Free Trade Agreement is being seen by some as a way for China to use New Zealand as a springboard for trade agreements with other western nations.
New Zealand Chinese Business Council deputy chairman Chris Lipscombe said the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with China is "basically a story about economic growth" for New Zealand.
While for China, the opportunity will help them get a "foot in the door for a number of very important trade relationships with other parts of the western world," he said on TV3's Sunrise show Monday morning.
Green Party Trade spokesperson Keith Locke agrees, saying "they're using New Zealand, first off as a liberal, democratic country... they think that's something good for their political system... and it is a foot in the door to try and get other FTA's with Western nations – with the idea that 'if NZ can do it, they can all do it'."
He said there is no benefit to either country, particularly New Zealand manufacturers.
Prime Minister Helen Clark will be in Beijing for the signing on Monday April 7. A delegation of 150 of New Zealand's top businessman and politicians will also travel to China, drawing years of negotiations to a close.
Notably absent from the delegation was United Future leader Revenue Minister Peter Dunne, who announced on Friday that he would not travel to Beijing for the signing because of China's "bloody crackdown'' on Tibet.
"We support the FTA because we believe it is in the best long-term interests of New Zealand," he told the Herald. "At the same time, we believe it is entirely proper to make our views publicly known about the Chinese government's bloody crackdown on its Tibetan citizens."
Human Rights Talks
While Helen Clark maintains she will be bringing up the issue of China's poor human rights record, Mr Locke lambasts the process as "abstract" and "closed".
"It will be done completely behind closed doors, comments should be more public, and it should be specific."
Naing Ko Ko from the Free Burma Campaign said the Chinese Communist Party were trying to be the "modern colonisers" of the world.
He said they have their hands in the persecution of Falun Gong in China, the Tibetans, Burmese, Sudanese, and the people of Darfur.
Last Word
The Chinese embassy in Wellington had the last word over which New Zealanders could take part in the trip to Beijing.
Wellington-based journalist and New Zealand passport holder, Nick Wang, was on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) list of media delegates to go to Beijing for the trade deal signing.
He first presented his visa application to the Chinese embassy last week, and after paying for an urgent visa, was refused.
Mr Wang hit the headlines last year when he was denied entry to an event in Parliament at the behest of the Chinese officials attending the function. His Chinese-language newspaper has reported on democracy activities inside China, as well as human rights issues such as the persecution of Falun Gong.
Mr Wang said he was not given a reason for the visa refusal, and criticised Miss Clark for not protecting the the interests of New Zealanders.
"Helen Clark is wrong going into China to sign the FTA now. If she does not listen to public opinion then she loses the foundation of her job."
Mr Wang was expecting to travel to Inner Mongolia to visit his parents after going to Beijing. He said no visa may mean he will never see his elderly parents again.
Content Still Under Wraps
The content of the FTA has not been released, although Miss Clark has indicated it includes labour and environmental standards.
Once signed in Beijing, the agreement will be under scrutiny in the Select Committee, who have 20 days to make recommendations—none of which the Government has an obligation to adopt.
The deal should bring in an additional $200 million to $400 million annually for the next 20 years, government estimates say.
Currently New Zealand imports $4.8 billion worth of goods from China per year, while exports sit at 1.2 billion worth, according to Statistics New Zealand.
The Prime Minister was unavailable for comment Monday.
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