The Government is boosting its staffing in China, to help keep trade flowing smoothly and deal with any issues that arise.
Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy said two more MPI officials with technical and policy expertise will be stationed in China by the end of the year, as well as a number of locally-engaged staff.
Mr Guy is visiting China this week and made the announcement after meetings with the Minister of Agriculture and the vice minister for the Chinese customs and quarantine authority, AQSIQ.
He said AQSIQ representatives will also visit New Zealand next week to begin work on new meat certification documents.
Earlier this year, the minister publicity berated MPI officials for a certification lapse that led to the Chinese refusing to release meat shipments from ports. MPI had to issue new export certificates to get the trade moving again.
Mr Guy said managing connections between New Zealand and China is a high priority for the Government now that China is this country's biggest export market.