Quotable

"We have seen rapidly escalating demand from China as people have become wealthier and, naturally, turn to higher quality products. As a high quality food producer, New Zealand is well placed to help meet that demand."

New Zealand Prime Minister John Key said the value of bilateral trade was well ahead of the two governments' target of 20 billion NZ dollars ($17.54 billion) by 2015. He said New Zealand's economic relationship with China had deepened markedly in recent years.