Cultural exchange drives trade as NZ-China matchmaking forum opens in Chengdu

Summary

The China (Chengdu)–New Zealand trade matchmaking conference was held in Chengdu on 7 September, with Auckland Business Chamber chief executive Simon Bridges leading a delegation that spans biomedicine, green building,

food, clean energy, cybersecurity and snow tourism. Chengdu Federation of Industry and Commerce chairman Yu Jian told the forum that Chengdu and the Waikato region established friendly co-operative relations in 1996,

that the city forged a sister-city link with Hamilton in 2015, and that the Chengdu–Auckland direct air route resumed in 2024.

Commentary

The Auckland Business Chamber delegation's spread across biomedicine, green building, food and clean energy reflects New Zealand's shift from primary agricultural exports towards higher-value services. With the Chengdu–Auckland direct route restored, cold-chain and business travel costs into the southwest market have fallen, opening a window for smaller brands such as manuka honey and premium wine to reach second- and third-tier consumers. Chengdu, however, already has mature supply chains in clean energy, modern Chinese medicine and snow tourism operations.

New Zealand firms should work through the 'Open Chengdu' overseas partner mechanism and prioritise distribution or technology licensing alongside local channel players, rather than setting up alone and forcing their way in. Rely on one-off chamber matchmaking with no follow-through service capability, and even signed intentions will struggle to land.

Keywords: NZ-China trade matchmaking conference, Chengdu, Auckland Business Chamber, Simon Bridges, sister cities, overseas partner plaque, company roadshow, direct air route resumption, opening up, trade and economic co-operation

Source: People's Daily Online