Across Mountains and Seas, a Shared Future: Ambassador Wang’s Address at PRC 77th Anniversary

Summary

Chinese Ambassador to New Zealand Wang Xiaolong delivered an address at a reception marking the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China and his farewell reception. Among those attending were New Zealand Speaker of Parliament Gerry Brownlee, Foreign Minister Winston Peters, Ministers Shane Jones, Chris Penk and Scott Simpson, NZ-China Friendship Society Honorary Chairman and former Speaker Sir David Carter, Secretary-General Rachel Crump and Deputy Secretary-General Marcus Maurer, Acting Dean of the Diplomatic Corps Ambassador Alfredo Bogado, diplomatic envoys from various countries, and members of the Chinese community in New Zealand. Ambassador Wang said New China's 77 years of achievements were made under the leadership of the Communist Party of China.

Over the past five years, China's economy grew at an average annual rate of 5.4 percent, contributing around 30 percent to global economic growth. In the first half of 2026, GDP increased by RMB 3.6 trillion, the largest increment for the same period in five years, while total imports and exports exceeded RMB 25 trillion for the first time in the same period in history, keeping China firmly the world's largest trader in goods. China ranks first globally in both the number of R&D personnel and patent applications for many consecutive years.

Annual production and sales of new energy vehicles surpassed 16 million units, accounting for more than 60 percent of the global total. China has become a major trading partner of more than 160 countries and regions and is advancing four major initiatives on global development, security, civilisation and governance. Ambassador Wang reviewed his nearly five years as envoy to New Zealand, noting that China-New Zealand relations have long been at the forefront of China's relations with developed countries, underpinned by four factors.

First, high-level exchanges provide direction: then Prime Minister Chris Hipkins visited China in 2023, Premier Li Qiang visited New Zealand in 2024, New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon visited China in 2025, and Chairman Zhao Leji and Speaker Brownlee exchanged visits within five months between December 2025 and April 2026. Second, economic and trade cooperation delivers mutual benefit, with China remaining New Zealand's largest trading partner and export market for 14 consecutive years.

Commentary

In his farewell address, Ambassador Wang underscored the depth and resilience of China-New Zealand economic and trade ties, offering New Zealand small and medium-sized enterprises a timely opportunity to reassess their China market strategies. China has been New Zealand's largest trading partner for 14 consecutive years. Its total imports and exports exceeded RMB 25 trillion in the first half of 2026, keeping it the world's largest trader in goods.

This means the scale of demand and supply chain position of the Chinese market remain solid. For export-dependent New Zealand businesses, particularly in dairy, meat, timber and agricultural products, structural demand from China has not weakened, but the competitive landscape is shifting. China's annual production and sales of new energy vehicles exceed 16 million units, more than 60 percent of the global total, demonstrating rapid iteration in green technology and advanced manufacturing.

This could squeeze New Zealand's comparative advantages in traditional sectors, while also creating room for cooperation in low-carbon technology, agricultural science and food innovation. New Zealand SMEs should watch the policy direction of China's 15th Five-Year Plan on consumption upgrading, green development and the digital economy, areas that complement New Zealand's strengths in sustainable agriculture, clean energy and food processing. At the same time, platforms such as the Global Development Initiative and the China International Supply Chain Expo offer New Zealand firms channels into China's second- and third-tier cities and niche markets, though they must also contend with the rise of domestic Chinese brands and the impact of regional trade agreements.

In terms of industry background, dairy accounts for about one-third of New Zealand's exports to China. Large cooperatives such as Fonterra are already deeply tied to the Chinese market, while smaller exporters still have differentiated opportunities in higher-value categories such as nuts, honey and wine. Since the upgrade of the China-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement, tariffs on some agricultural products have fallen further, but non-tariff barriers such as inspection and quarantine standards and environmental requirements have become stricter, requiring firms to build compliance capacity in advance.

Ambassador Wang's reference to high-level exchanges providing direction indicates stable bilateral political relations, which reduces the risk of sudden policy shifts. Even so, businesses should diversify market risk and avoid over-reliance on a single market. China's leading position in R&D spending and patents means technology content and intellectual property protection will matter more in future trade.

New Zealand firms cooperating with Chinese partners should clearly define terms on technology transfer and brand protection.

Keywords: Ambassador Wang, China-New Zealand relations, farewell reception, 77th anniversary of the founding of the PRC, high-level exchanges, economic and trade cooperation, Chinese-style modernisation, largest trading partner

Summary in Chinese | 摘要

中国驻新西兰大使王小龙在庆祝中华人民共和国成立77周年招待会暨离任招待会上发表致辞，新西兰议长布朗利、外长彼得斯、部长琼斯、杜西、西蒙兹，新中友协名誉主席、前议长卡特，科里秘书长、毛瑞副秘书长，代理使团长博加多及各国驻新使节、在新侨胞等出席。王大使表示，新中国77年成就是在中国共产党领导下取得的，过去五年中国经济年均增长5.4%，对世界经济增长贡献率保持在30%左右；2026年上半年GDP增量3.6万亿元，为近五年同期最大增量，上半年进出口总额历史同期首次突破25万亿元，中国继续稳居全球货物贸易第一大国。中国研发人员总量和专利申请量连续多年世界第一，新能源汽车年产销突破1600万辆，占全球比重超过60%。

中国已成为160多个国家和地区的主要贸易伙伴，并推进全球发展、安全、文明、治理四大倡议。王大使回顾出使新西兰近五年经历，指出中新关系长期走在中国同发达国家关系前列，得益于四方面：一是高层交往引领定向，2023年时任总理希普金斯访华，2024年李强总理访新，2025年新西兰总理拉克森访华，2025年12月至2026年4月赵乐际委员长与布朗利议长五个月内互访；二是经贸合作互利共赢，中国连续14年稳居新西兰最大贸易伙伴和出口市场。

Commentary in Chinese | 评论

王大使在离任致辞中强调中新经贸关系的深度与韧性，这为新西兰中小企业提供了审视中国市场战略的契机。中国连续14年作为新西兰最大贸易伙伴，2026年上半年进出口总额突破25万亿元人民币，稳居全球货物贸易第一大国，意味着中国市场的需求规模和供应链地位依然稳固。对于依赖出口的新西兰企业，尤其是乳制品、肉类、木材和农产品领域，中国市场的结构性需求并未减弱，但竞争格局正在变化。

中国新能源汽车年产销超1600万辆、占全球60%以上，显示中国在绿色技术和高端制造领域的快速迭代，这既可能挤压新西兰在传统领域的相对优势，也创造了在低碳技术、农业科技和食品创新方面的合作空间。新西兰中小企业应关注中国'十五五'规划中关于消费升级、绿色发展和数字经济的政策导向，这些领域与新西兰在可持续农业、清洁能源和食品加工方面的专长存在互补。同时，中国推进的全球发展倡议和供应链博览会等平台，为新西兰企业提供了进入中国二三线城市和细分市场的渠道，但需注意中国本土品牌的崛起和区域贸易协定的影响。

从行业背景看，新西兰对华出口中乳制品占比约三分之一，恒天然等大型合作社已深度绑定中国市场，而中小型出口商在坚果、蜂蜜、葡萄酒等高附加值品类中仍有差异化机会。中新自贸协定升级后，部分农产品关税进一步降低，但非关税壁垒如检验检疫标准和环保要求趋严，企业需提前布局合规能力。王大使提到的'高层交往引领定向'表明双边政治关系稳定，这降低了政策突变风险，但企业仍需分散市场风险，避免过度依赖单一市场。

中国研发投入和专利数量全球领先，意味着未来贸易中的技术含量和知识产权保护将更加重要，新西兰企业在与中国伙伴合作时需明确技术转让和品牌保护条款。

关键词: 王大使, 中新关系, 离任招待会, 国庆77周年, 高层交往, 经贸合作, 中国式现代化, 最大贸易伙伴

Source: Chinese Embassy in New Zealand – New Zealand-China Relations