This weekend I am attending part of the University of Otago’s Foreign Policy School that examines China’s place in the world. It is timely, and not because of the incident involving Russel Norman’s flag. China’s “ascent” as the conference title terms it, in world affairs is remarkable, seemingly inexorable and certainly vital to our future economic, strategic and security interests. Forget about the G20 for a moment, people are talking about the G2 (US and China, though some speakers today are wary of this).

MPs, and indeed all New Zealanders must have their right to protest protected. My view, though, has always been that a strategy of engagement with China is the best path for New Zealand. I do hold concerns over human rights abuses and lack of media freedom in China as elsewhere. I have been in the room when Helen Clark and Phil Goff have raised these concerns, as they should. But to really see change in these areas, and some depth to the relationship of a very small country with a very large country we have to engage- and we have to be bold.

There is instant recognition in Chinese government circles of the “four firsts” that have defined China and New Zealand’s recent relationship. The first first being supporting China’s entry to the WTO, then the first recognition of China as a market economy, followed by being the first to start free trade negotiations and finally the fourth first by finalising a free trade agreement.

When I was in Shanghai recently with the Wellington City delegation I challenged the participants at a Young Leaders Forum (thank goodness 38 is still considered young in China!) to work out what the fifth and sixth firsts will be in our relationship. We need to have the courage to move the relationship forward, as a relatively insignificant country in terms of China’s wider interests.

At the opening of the Foreign Policy School I understand Murray McCully said an FTA with Hong Kong is the fifth first. I think we need to focus on how we broaden our relationship, beyond trade. The Chinese are well aware that their rapid economic growth is straining the environment. They see the damage that it does not just to their way of life, but also their international reputation. They are doing a lot in this area, and see New Zealand as a country with much to offer in this regard.

So how about the fifth first being a comprehensive treaty level agreement on the environment and clean technology? One that explicily recognises how much China has done and the scale of the challenges they have. We already have an environmental cooperation agreement that sits alongside the FTA. This could be enhanced to develop cooperative projects on issues such as renewable energy, air quality (a massive issue in Chinese cities), freshwater management, “green” buildings and more. There is enormous opportunity around clean technology, especially in China’s rapidly growing agricultural sector. As the doctor said to Steve Austin- we have the technology. Let’s use it, and take our relationship with China to the next stage.