Shu Yi Shu Er salon: Sichuan–NZ trade matchmaking conference held in Chengdu

Summary

Fifty-six Chinese and New Zealand companies met face to face in Chengdu on 8 September 2026 at the Shu Yi Shu Er salon: China (Sichuan)–New Zealand Trade Matchmaking Conference. The event was co-hosted by the CCPIT Sichuan Council, the Sichuan Chamber of International Commerce, the Auckland Chamber of Commerce and the New Zealand Chinese Business Club. Fan Jun, vice-chairman of the CCPIT Sichuan Council, Auckland Chamber of Commerce chief executive Simon and New Zealand Chinese Business Club chairman Yang Jian attended.

Sichuan and New Zealand have complementary industries and a solid base and strong potential for co-operation, Fan said in his address. He encouraged companies to seize the opportunities created by the two countries' comprehensive strategic partnership, Belt and Road co-operation and the continuing release of RCEP dividends, and to deepen co-operation across sectors. The CCPIT Sichuan Council would work with New Zealand's business community to leverage its role in linking government and business, connecting China and overseas markets and matching supply with demand, lifting Sichuan–New Zealand trade and economic co-operation to a new level, he said.

New Zealand companies in construction, health, tourism and wine presented their core businesses and co-operation needs. In the matchmaking session, 37 Sichuan companies from food and beverage, cultural and creative tourism and biotechnology were brought together with the New Zealand visitors in line with their requirements. Representatives including Misty Cove Wines said they hoped to draw on the Sichuan Chamber of International Commerce's member base and its contacts with supermarket chains such as Hongqi and Lao Linju to open up Sichuan sales channels for New Zealand red wine.

Sichuan Aifante Intelligent Technology Co Ltd and New Zealand's Nuwa Trading Ltd discussed exporting buses and intelligent equipment to the New Zealand market and plan to follow up on specific co-operation possibilities. Staff from the International Liaison Department and the Sichuan Chamber of International Commerce took part.

Commentary

The Chengdu matchmaking event shows China–New Zealand trade and economic ties moving inland, from the coastal ports towards western China. China is one of New Zealand's top ten wine export markets, but Sichuan is not a traditional stronghold: baijiu dominates, imported wine is concentrated in the provincial capital, and Australian wine has returned with a cost advantage that is squeezing market share. Small and mid-sized brands such as Misty Cove Wines can use the Sichuan Chamber of International Commerce's day-to-day relationships with regional chains such as Hongqi and Lao Linju to sidestep the high barriers set by national distributors and move directly into community retail outlets.

They will, however, need to tailor their product lines to the heavy oil and heat of Sichuan cuisine — for example, a high-acid Sauvignon Blanc or a sparkling wine. Sichuan intelligent equipment firms, meanwhile, have their eye on New Zealand's bus electrification needs, but the local market is small and certification standards are strict, making small-batch customisation or component supply a better fit. Under RCEP, services trade and investment facilitation deserve more attention from New Zealand SMEs than tariff relief.

At 56 companies, the event was limited in scale, but it gives both sides a low-cost entry point for testing how the market responds.

Keywords: China–New Zealand trade matchmaking conference, Shu Yi Shu Er salon, CCPIT Sichuan Council, Auckland Chamber of Commerce, Sichuan Chamber of International Commerce, New Zealand Chinese Business Club, 56 companies, 37 Sichuan companies, RCEP, wine

Source: Sichuan International Economic and Trade Promotion Network