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Environmental cooperation agreed with China

New Zealand’s recent Free Trade Agreement with China includes an associated side agreement on environmental cooperation.

“Officials from New Zealand’s Ministry for the Environment will start engaging with China’s Ministry of Environmental Protection this year to share priorities on environmental issues and develop a programme of cooperative activities,” said Ministry staff member Lesley Woudberg.

Environmental Cooperation Agreements (ECA) seek to improve environmental practices and increase the capacity of both New Zealand and partner countries to address environmental concerns.

Woudberg explains that an ECA sets out some common commitments by affirming the sovereign right of each country to set its own environmental policies and standards and that each country will not weaken its environmental laws and regulations in order to seek a trade advantage.

New Zealand has already concluded such agreements in association with the free trade deals with Thailand and with Chile, Singapore and Brunei.

For more information email Lesley.Woudberg@mfe.govt.nz or phone (04) 439 7649.

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