Consul-General Chen Shijie Meets Auckland Branch Chair of NZ-China Friendship Association

Summary

Consul-General Chen Shijie met with Li Yan, Chair of the New Zealand-China Friendship Association Auckland Branch, and Vice-Chair Red on 28 July. They exchanged views on matters of mutual interest. Chen acknowledged the branch's contribution to strengthening public support for NZ-China friendship and promoting people-to-people ties, saying the Consulate-General will maintain close communication with the branch and encourage more New Zealanders to engage in friendship initiatives.

He also outlined, in response to a question, the significance and purpose of China's Law on Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress, and China's principled position on missile testing and other issues. Li Yan and Red said the Auckland branch will continue to carry forward the Rewi Alley spirit and serve as a bridge in promoting people-to-people exchanges and the continued development of bilateral relations.

Commentary

As a key vehicle for people-to-people diplomacy, the NZ-China Friendship Association Auckland Branch directly shapes the soft environment for New Zealand SMEs operating in China. The trust accumulated through the Rewi Alley legacy is a distinctive asset that sets the NZ-China commercial relationship apart from other bilateral ties. China's Law on Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress is aimed at strengthening social cohesion, offering NZ businesses in China more stable policy expectations.

At the same time, differences over missile testing are a reminder that geopolitical factors can affect commercial exchanges at any time. For NZ SMEs, involvement in the friendship association is not just public service — it is a low-cost channel for local market insight and networking. The Auckland branch's clear commitment to continuing its bridging role means SMEs can use the platform to lower cultural barriers to entering the Chinese market.

Under the RCEP framework, deeper people-to-people exchanges help NZ firms secure smoother access in areas such as agricultural products and education services.

Keywords: Consul-General Chen Shijie, NZ-China Friendship Association Auckland Branch, Li Yan, Red, Rewi Alley spirit, NZ-China people-to-people friendship, Law on Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress, people-to-people ties

Summary in Chinese | 摘要

陈世杰总领事会见新中友协奥克兰分会主席李焱 2026-07-29 07:43 subtitle.style.display=”none”; docsource.

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display=”none”; 7月28日，陈世杰总领事会见新中友协奥克兰分会主席李焱及副主席雷德，双方就共同关心的问题交换了意见。陈总肯定奥克兰分会为厚植中新友好民意基础、促进两国民心相通所作贡献，表示总领馆将同分会保持密切沟通，推动更多新西兰朋友投身中新友好事业。他并应询介绍中方颁布《中华人民共和国民族团结进步促进法》的意义和宗旨，以及在射导等问题上的原则立场。

李焱和雷德表示，奥克兰分会将继续以传承路易·艾黎精神为己任，为促进新中民间友好交流、推动两国关系不断发展积极发挥桥梁纽带作用。

Commentary in Chinese | 评论

新中友协奥克兰分会作为民间外交的重要载体，其活动直接关系到新西兰中小企业在华经营的软环境。路易·艾黎精神所代表的信任积累，是中新经贸关系区别于其他双边关系的独特资产。当前中国正通过《民族团结进步促进法》强化社会凝聚力，这为在华新西兰企业提供了更稳定的政策预期。

然而，射导问题上的立场分歧也提醒我们，地缘政治因素可能随时影响商业往来。对NZ SME而言，参与友协活动不仅是公益，更是获取本地市场洞察、建立人脉的低成本渠道。奥克兰分会明确表态继续发挥桥梁作用，意味着中小企业可借助这一平台降低进入中国市场的文化壁垒。

在RCEP框架下，民间交流的深化有助于新西兰企业在农产品、教育服务等领域获得更顺畅的准入。

关键词: 陈世杰总领事, 新中友协奥克兰分会, 李焱, 雷德, 路易·艾黎精神, 中新民间友好, 民族团结进步促进法, 民心相通

Source: Chinese Embassy and Consulates in New Zealand (Embassy/Auckland/Christchurch)