Chinese Chamber elects Gao Xiaoming as new president

Summary

The China Chamber of Commerce in New Zealand held its executive council meeting and presidential election on the morning of 25 August, with representatives from all 16 executive council member companies present. The meeting was chaired by Zhu Jiajia, head of COSCO Shipping Lines New Zealand, and followed the chamber's constitution and election plan to elect a new president through on-site democratic selection. Bank of China (New Zealand) Limited was re-elected as the presidential unit, and its president, Gao Xiaoming, was elected as the new president of the chamber.

Gao thanked the executive council members for their trust and support, and said he would work with member companies to continue the chamber's role as a bridge, strengthen communication among members, support member companies' development in New Zealand, and promote exchanges and practical cooperation between the Chinese and New Zealand business communities. Founded in 2002 with the support of the Chinese Embassy in New Zealand, the chamber's members include New Zealand branches of Chinese institutions such as Bank of China, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, China Construction Bank, COSCO Shipping Lines, China Southern Airlines, Air China, China Eastern Airlines and China Travel Service, as well as New Zealand branches of companies including Haier Group, Mengniu Yashili, Yili, Huawei and Fuhua Group. Their operations cover finance, dairy, tourism, aviation, shipping, forestry, education, technology, insurance, trade and processing.

The chamber has hosted events including the China–New Zealand Tourism Investment and Cooperation Summit and China–New Zealand Economic and Trade Seminars. Since 2020 it has led the organisation of New Zealand companies to participate in the China International Import Expo, and has held consecutive charity dinners raising funds for Starship, APO, St John, City Mission and Mercy Hospice.

Commentary

The China Chamber of Commerce in New Zealand has completed the election of its new president, with Bank of China (New Zealand) Limited re-elected as the presidential unit and its president, Gao Xiaoming, elected as the new president. The result continues the leading role of Chinese banks in the chamber and reflects the central position of the financial sector in the China–New Zealand trade and economic network. Chamber members span finance, dairy, aviation, technology and other sectors, including New Zealand branches of Chinese dairy companies such as Mengniu Yashili and Yili, important competitors to Fonterra.

For local small and medium-sized enterprises, the chamber is not only a coordination platform for Chinese companies but could also serve as an indirect channel into the Chinese market. On one hand, events such as the CIIE organised by the chamber provide showcase opportunities for New Zealand brands, and SMEs can use its network to reduce the initial costs of exporting to China. On the other hand, the re-election of a Chinese bank as president may mean further facilitation of financing and settlement services, but local companies should also note that the expansion of Chinese enterprises into some sensitive sectors in New Zealand could trigger policy and public opinion changes.

From an industry perspective, Chinese investment in New Zealand has shifted from resources to consumer and technology sectors. The stability of the chamber's leadership helps maintain continuity in bilateral business relations, but New Zealand SMEs still need to engage proactively to secure a favourable position in China–New Zealand supply chains.

Keywords: China Chamber of Commerce in New Zealand, presidential election, Gao Xiaoming, Bank of China (New Zealand), executive council meeting, China–New Zealand economic and trade cooperation, Chinese enterprises, China International Import Expo

AI illustration on MiDeer Observer

Source: 4343434e5a