New Zealand and China have signed a strategic plan for agricultural co-operation.
Minister for Primary Industries Nathan Guy says the plan sets out areas in which both countries can learn from each other, such as animal welfare and science, and increasing productivity, skills and knowledge.
It coincides with trade statistics that show China has overtaken Australia as New Zealand's top export market for the first time.
In another development, the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment is investing up to $600,000 in joint research projects with China on food safety and security, and water research.
