On 14 October, Chargé d’Affaires Xie Yongjun was invited to deliver remarks at the orientation of the 2026 China–New Zealand Scientists Exchange Programme. Participants included Justine Daw, Chief Executive of the Royal Society Te Apārangi; Brent Clothier, Past President of the Royal Society Te Apārangi; Sarah Mackey, Senior Policy Adviser for International Science Partnerships at the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment; Zhang Huasheng, Deputy Director-General of the Department of International Cooperation of Ministry of Science and Technology of China; Zhao Shufan, Deputy Director-General of China Science and Technology Exchange Center as well as young Chinese scientists and representatives from New Zealand research institutions.

Chargé d’Affaires Xie congratulated the successful launch of the 2026 China–New Zealand Scientists Exchange Programme. He noted that 2026 marks the beginning of China’s 15th Five-Year Plan period. China will continue to uphold the principles of openness, inclusiveness, mutual benefit and shared benefits in international scientific and technological cooperation, expand science and technology cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative, and participate more deeply in and contribute to global science and technology governance. China stands ready to deepen cooperation with New Zealand in scientific and technological innovation and people-to-people exchanges, jointly address global challenges, and build a better future.

Following the orientation, 10 Chinese scientists participating in the programme were assigned to New Zealand host institutions to undertake research exchanges lasting 4 to 6 weeks.