New Zealand, China expected to sign TV collaboration treaty next year

New Zealand is on track to being the first country to sign a television co-production agreement with China, New Zealand Broadcasting Minister Craig Foss said Friday.

The bilateral agreement would enable television producers from the two countries to work together on joint productions and access government subsidies available to both countries, Foss said after meeting with Chinese negotiators in Beijing.

"Once concluded, this agreement will be the first television co- production agreement that China has signed with any country," Foss said in a statement from his office.

"It will provide the New Zealand screen industry with greater opportunities to work alongside their Chinese counterparts and learn how to produce content for a Chinese audience."

Foss said he had been discussing the benefits of television production collaboration with Nie Chenxi, deputy director of China 's State Administration of Radio, Film and Television.

Negotiations began in 2010, when New Zealand and China signed a film-only co-production agreement and are expected to conclude with a signed agreement next year.