The 2nd China-New Zealand Partnership Forum Convened in Beijing

Co-hosted by CCIEE and the New Zealand China Council (NZCC), the 2nd China-New Zealand Partnership Forum opened in Beijing on 23 September 2015. Vice Premier Wang Yang met with New Zealand delegates the day before, which was also attended by CCIEE Executive Vice Chairman Zhang Xiaoqiang and New Zealand Minister for Economic Development Steven Joyce. CCIEE Chairman Zeng Peiyan addressed the opening ceremony of the forum. Nearly 120 high-level delegates representing the governments and the business, science, education and cultural communities of the two sides attended the forum and had an in-depth discussion on food safety, tourism, people-to-people and cultural exchanges and investment under the theme of “Partnering for Success”.

Mr. Zhang Xiaoqiang noted that recent years have seen continued progress of China-New Zealand friendly relations, as marked by regular exchange of high-level visits, enhanced people-to-people and cultural exchanges, record high bilateral trade volume last year and growing two-way investment. China will innovate on the inbound investment management system while maintaining a robust growth of the outbound investment. Both countries need to tap into their respective potential to bring China-New Zealand investment cooperation to a higher level.

Sir Don McKinnon, Chairman of NZCC, told the opening ceremony that New Zealand attaches great importance to its comprehensive strategic partnership with China, and stands ready to enhance cooperation with China in political affairs, trade, economy, science, education, and, particularly, in food safety, tourism, people-to-people exchanges and investment, so as to promote in-depth development of New Zealand-China strategic partnership.

The first China-New Zealand Partnership Forum was held on 12 April 2013. The aim of the forum is to pool the strength of the high-level people from both sides to promote sustained development of China-New Zealand business relations.