Govt to sign first FTA with a developed nation

China and New Zealand will sign a free trade agreement (FTA) in April, its first with a developed nation, the commerce ministry said yesterday.

After 15 rounds of talks, the two countries have reached consensus on substantial issues and are now finalizing the text of the agreement, Wang Xinpei, the ministry's spokesman, said at a press conference.

"The FTA will cover goods and service trade and investment," Wang said.