On November 24, Zhou Naixiang, Deputy Secretary of the CPC Shandong Provincial Committee and Governor of Shandong Province, led a delegation to visit New Zealand and hosted the China (Shandong)-New Zealand Economic and Trade Cooperation Symposium in Auckland. Ambassador Wang Xiaolong, along with distinguished guests including Chris Hipkins, Leader of the New Zealand Labour Party and former Prime Minister, Shane Jones, Minister of Resources, Scott Simpson, Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Wayne Brown, Mayor of Auckland, and Sir Richard Taylor, the co-founder of Wētā Workshop attended the event and delivered speeches. Liu Pengxiang, Deputy Consul General of the Chinese Consulate General in Auckland, and nearly a hundred representatives from various local sectors were also present.
Photo by Vicky Lu
Governor Zhou Naixiang stated that Shandong Province is fully implementing the guidance of President Xi Jinping, accelerating the construction of a pilot zone for green, low-carbon, and high-quality development, and building a new highland for high-level opening up. Shandong is willing to work with all sectors in New Zealand to thoroughly implement the strategic consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, deepen practical cooperation, strengthen industrial collaboration at a deeper level, expand trade in broader areas, promote higher-quality green and low-carbon development, and facilitate wider-ranging people-to-people exchanges, so as to achieve more fruitful outcomes in Shandong-New Zealand cooperation.
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Ambassador Wang Xiaolong emphasized China has always regarded New Zealand as a friend and partner. China stands ready to work with New Zealand to carry forward the spirit of “striving to be the first,” so that an even closer China–New Zealand relationship can bring greater certainty and new opportunities to the development of both countries, while also contributing to global peace and prosperity.Shandong Province occupies an important position in China’s overall opening-up landscape. It enjoys strong economic complementarity and deep-rooted cooperation ties with New Zealand. Looking ahead, cooperation between Shandong Province and New Zealand is facing new historical opportunities, with great potential for mutually beneficial collaboration.
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New Zealand guests expressed in their speeches that the China-New Zealand relationship is vital to the prosperity of both countries. Despite uncertainties in the global economy, the bilateral relationship remains strong and constructive. Entrepreneurs from both countries are transforming opportunities into outcomes through trade, investment, and people-to-people exchanges, enabling China and New Zealand to move forward together. They expressed anticipation for further strengthening cooperation with Shandong and other regions of China to contribute more to the economic development of both countries.
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During the event, representatives from relevant government departments and city-level leaders of Shandong Province, as well as enterprises including Shandong Port Group, Haier, Guaibao, Zespri, and Fonterra, delivered promotional presentations respectively.
Photo by Vicky Lu