On December 15, HE Ambassador Wang Xiaolong attended the Opening Ceremony of 2023 New Zealand China Products Expo held in Auckland and delivered remarks. More than 400 distinguished guests and representatives from both governments and business communities, exhibitors gathered in this event, including the co-chairs of 5 major business organizations: Mr. Simon Bridges, CEO of Auckland Chamber of Commerce; Mr. John Cochrane, Chair of NZCTA; Mr. Brett O’Riley, CEO of EMA; Mr. Qi Jun, Chair of CCCNZ; Mr. Wang Jiazheng, President of Canton Chamber of Commerce in NZ. MP Nancy Lu on behalf of trade Minister and MP Camilla Belich, Junior Whip of the Labor Party, Former MPs Yang Jian and Naisi Chen, and President of CCPIT Guangdong Committee also attended the event.

Photo by Vicky Lu

Ambassador Wang stated in his address that the successful opening of the Expo is another vivid example of deeper and closer China-New Zealand economic relations, and over the past 50-plus years since the establishment of diplomatic ties, bilateral trade has been its most dynamic component, bringing tangible benefits to the two peoples. He indicated that this year’s Expo co-hosted by 5 major business organizations is the latest innovative initiative of local business communities, and expected the organizers to increasingly expand its exhibitions from consumer goods to other categories to promote more NZ's imports from China, for a further growth of China-New Zealand relations.

Photo by Vicky Lu