Food safety, science and film production are the latest areas to benefit from New Zealand's free trade agreement (FTA) with China.

In the two years since New Zealand signed the FTA with China it has gone from our fourth to second largest trading partner.

But Prime Minister John Key, who arrived in Beijing today and travels to Shanghai tomorrow, sees more potential.

Today he announced new agreements that would strengthen cooperation between the two countries.

The film co-production agreement will allow film makers to access funding available for national movies.

It will also facilitate temporary immigration and equipment importation within the existing regulations.

The agreement covers movies made for cinemas or television and is the first of its kind signed with China.

Discussions have begun for a similar agreement over television co-production.

The film agreement would offer greater certainty to investors looking to fund New Zealand-China co-productions, Mr Key said.

Film projects would have to be approved to gain official co-production status.

"New Zealand film makers are increasingly interested in partnering with Chinese film makers and in telling stories of interest to both cultures," Mr Key said.

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Source: NZPA, www.nzherald.co.nz