TIMELINE

December, 1972: China and New Zealand establish diplomatic relations.

August, 1997: New Zealand becomes the first Western country to sign bilateral documents that led to China's accession to the World Trade Organization.

April, 2004: New Zealand recognizes China as a market economy, the first developed country to do so.

December, 2004: China and New Zealand begin negotiations on a free trade agreement.

April, 2008: New Zealand becomes the first developed country to successfully conclude a free trade agreement with China.

October, 2008: The free trade agreement comes into force.

November, 2014: President Xi Jinping makes a state visit to New Zealand. The two countries decide to turn their relationship into a comprehensive strategic partnership.

April, 2016: New Zealand Prime Minister John Key makes an official visit to China. The two countries agree to review the free trade agreement.