CPAFFC Vice President Shen Xin Meets NZ China Friendship Society President O’Brien

Summary

Shen Xin, Vice President of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), met with a delegation led by O'Brien, President of the New Zealand China Friendship Society (NZCFS), in Beijing on 24 June 2026. Before the meeting, Shen accompanied the delegation on a visit to the former residence of Rewi Alley. The two sides exchanged views on promoting people-to-people friendship between China and New Zealand and carrying forward the spirit of Rewi Alley.

Shen congratulated O'Brien on his new role, saying the NZCFS is one of the earliest foreign friendship organisations with China and has long contributed to deepening understanding and friendship between the two peoples. He expressed hope that the NZCFS will achieve greater development under O'Brien's leadership. Noting that 2027 marks the 100th anniversary of Rewi Alley's arrival in China and the 130th anniversary of his birth, Shen said the CPAFFC is ready to work with the NZCFS on commemorative activities in both countries, encouraging younger generations to carry forward Alley's spirit.

O'Brien thanked the CPAFFC for its long-standing support and said he looks forward to jointly holding Rewi Alley commemorative events with the Chinese side next year, and to deepening exchanges and cooperation in youth, cultural and trade areas.

Commentary

The New Zealand China Friendship Society, one of the earliest friendship organisations with China, often reflects the temperature of the bilateral relationship through its leadership changes and activity planning. O'Brien's explicit mention of deepening cooperation in youth, cultural and trade areas echoes the needs of New Zealand small and medium-sized enterprises looking to expand into the Chinese market. With the upgraded China-NZ free trade agreement in place, New Zealand's traditional exports to China such as dairy and timber have remained stable, while growth potential in education, tourism and professional services is yet to be fully realised.

People-to-people friendship organisations can help lower the trust costs for SMEs entering China, particularly in tier-two and tier-three cities where endorsement from local partners often carries more weight than advertising. The series of events marking the 100th anniversary of Rewi Alley's arrival in China may spur demand for related cultural products and educational exchange programmes. New Zealand businesses could watch for niche opportunities arising from this, such as education technology, cultural IP licensing and sustainable agricultural technology cooperation.

Keywords: Shen Xin, O'Brien, New Zealand China Friendship Society, Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, Rewi Alley, China-New Zealand people-to-people friendship, commemorative activities, new role

Summary in Chinese | 摘要

2026年6月24日，沈昕副会长在中国人民对外友好协会会见新西兰中国友好协会主席欧百利一行，并在会前陪同其参观路易·艾黎故居。双方就促进中新民间友好、传承路易·艾黎精神等共同关心的议题深入交换意见。沈昕首先祝贺欧百利履新并表示，新中友协是成立最早的外国对华友好组织之一，长期以来为深化中新两国人民理解与友谊作出了重要贡献。

希望在欧百利主席的领导下，新中友协未来取得更大发展。2027年是中国人民的老朋友路易·艾黎来华100周年暨诞辰130周年，中国人民对外友好协会愿与新中友协在中新两国共同开展纪念活动，推动两国民众特别是青年一代继续传承和发扬艾黎精神。欧百利感谢中国人民对外友好协会对新中友协的长期支持，表示期待明年与中方共同开展艾黎相关纪念活动，未来将致力于深化新中两国在青年、文化、经贸等领域的交流合作。

Commentary in Chinese | 评论

新西兰中国友好协会作为最早的对华友好组织之一，其领导层更替与活动规划往往反映两国关系的温度。欧百利主席明确提及深化青年、文化、经贸合作，这与新西兰中小企业拓展中国市场的需求相呼应。当前中新自贸协定升级后，新西兰对华出口中乳制品、木材等传统品类保持稳定，而教育、旅游及专业服务领域增长潜力尚未充分释放。

民间友好组织的桥梁作用有助于降低中小企业进入中国市场的信任成本，尤其在二三线城市，本地合作伙伴的背书往往比广告更有效。纪念路易·艾黎来华100周年的系列活动可能带动相关文化产品与教育交流项目需求，新西兰企业可关注其中衍生出的细分机会，例如教育科技、文化IP授权及可持续农业技术合作。

关键词: 沈昕, 欧百利, 新西兰中国友好协会, 中国人民对外友好协会, 路易·艾黎, 中新民间友好, 纪念活动, 履新

Source: Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries