Ladies and gentlemen,
It gives me great pleasure to join you online at the China-NZ FTA Upgrade Policy & Practice Roundtable. It is the first in a series of meetings hosted by the Chinese Embassy in NZ to celebrate the 50th anniversary of China-NZ relations. As the business community is a primary contributor to bilateral relations, let me begin by extending a warm welcome to all the speakers and participants today, and my heartfelt thanks to all friends who care about and support China-NZ economic and trade cooperation.
The 50th anniversary is a major milestone for both sides, which offers an important opportunity for us to reflect on the progress made and, on that basis, chart the way forward. In the span of half a century, China-NZ relations have struck deep roots and borne rich fruits, bringing tangible benefits to the two peoples, and imparting increasing substance to the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between our two countries. While trade has been a powerful engine for the overall relationship, it cannot and has not taken place in a vacuum. For the latter would provide the macro environment, favorable or otherwise, for trade to be conducted, through the policy and regulatory frameworks, the people to people links, and last but not least, the media coverage that helps to shape perceptions and the atmospherics among the public, the trade operators and the policy makers. For this reason, I would like to take this opportunity to share some of my thoughts on China-NZ relations, using three keywords that define our evolving partnership.
The first keyword is comprehensive. Since the establishment of diplomatic ties, the two countries have conducted all-round cooperation in various fields. Substantial progress is taking place in high level engagement, trade and economic cooperation, climate change and environment, people-to-people exchanges and other areas. Before COVID-19, NZ had become leading destination for Chinese tourists and students. The two countries have nurtured a positive national branding in each other and forged deep bonds. COVID-19 has caused disruptions in the cross-border flows in people and goods, but as we move forward on controlling the pandemic, I am confident that borders will reopen, albeit in stages, to enable closer interactions to resume and hopefully soon.
The second keyword is strategic. With Comprehensive Strategic Partnership established in 2014, the bilateral relationship has demonstrated greater maturity, stability and resilience. Facing a turbulent and complex international situation and serious challenges to the global and regional economies, China and New Zealand, as upholders of multilateralism and free trade, what we stand for and what we work together on, can go beyond the bilateral scope and make a difference for the broader region and even globally. For China, a strong relationship with NZ has never been a short-term choice of convenience, as we firmly believe such a relationship is not only in the long-term fundamental interest of both sides and will also contribute to global and regional peace, stability and prosperity.
The third keyword is partnership. New Zealand and China, with our strong economic complementarity, have forged a bond of closely intertwined interests. Both China and NZ have given full play to their respective comparative advantages and achieve most productive outcomes. Meanwhile, China-NZ FTA serves as a propeller to promote bilateral trade in goods from NZ$9 billion when the FTA was signed in 2008 to NZ$35.5 billion in 2021. China is by far New Zealand’s largest trading partner and export market and its biggest source of trade surplus. While New Zealand products meet Chinese people's growing consumption needs for premium goods, the Chinese market has become a major contributor to growth, income and jobs for the local communities, a truly win-win situation for both countries and peoples.
A month ago, the China-NZ FTA Upgrade came into force, which showcases the commitment from both sides to the relationship, and will help to build on current momentum in particularly bilateral practical cooperation and open up new frontiers. In addition, as part of China’s efforts to pursue high-standard opening up, China is now working proactively to join CPTPP and DEPA, which will foster further new growth drivers for bilateral economic and trade cooperation. Today’s meeting is designed to share information and perspectives on preferential policies in the Upgrade and explore new opportunities on future cooperation in the context of the Upgrade and China’s efforts to seek accession to CPTPP and DEPA. I understand that present here today are experts from public and private sectors of both sides. I look forward to your insights.
Friends,
Looking back to the last five decades, China and New Zealand have been strengthening mutual understanding, increasing mutual trust, and deepening mutually beneficial cooperation. Looking ahead, I am fully confident, by putting our heads together, China-NZ relations will continue to grow and prosper!
In concluding, I wish this meeting every success!