China-NZ FTA talks unlikely to finish<\/p>\n
WELLINGTON: New Zealand's free trade talks with China are
\nprogressing but are unlikely to be completed this year as Beijing
\nis wary about setting a precedent with the pact, Prime Minister
\nHelen Clark said on Monday.<\/p>\n
"The key issue is that we are the first Western economy to
\nenter negotiations with China. Therefore there's high stakes for
\nChina and high stakes for us," Clark said on national radio.<\/p>\n
"They have an eye on what precedents they set with us, just as
\nwe have an eye to getting a comprehensive and good deal that
\nlooks after our interests.<\/p>\n
"That's why it will take a while."<\/p>\n
Clark, who met Chinese President Hu Jintao last week during
\nthe Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in South
\nKorea, described the negotiations as "going very well" but
\nrefused to put a deadline on the deal.<\/p>\n
The prime minister said she was "perfectly happy" with the
\npace of the negotiations, which began late last year.<\/p>\n
"The talks have gone well -- the fifth round is coming up. We
\ngot in the door first and we're optimistic," she said.<\/p>\n
China is negotiating several FTAs with different countries,
\nalthough New Zealand is the only developed nation involved. --
\nAFP<\/p>",
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