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

Summary in Chinese | 摘要

2026年9月8日，由四川省贸促会、四川国际商会与新西兰奥克兰商会、新西兰华商俱乐部共同举办的“蜀一蜀二沙龙：中国（四川）—新西兰经贸对接会”在成都举行。省贸促会副会长范军、奥克兰商会CEO西蒙、新西兰华商俱乐部主席杨健出席，来自中新两国56家企业现场对接洽谈。范军在致辞中表示，四川与新西兰产业互补，合作基础好、潜力大，希望企业抓住两国全面战略伙伴关系、共建“一带一路”和RCEP红利持续释放等机遇，深化各领域合作；四川省贸促会将与新西兰工商界共同发挥联通政企、融通内外、畅通供需的职能优势，推动川新经贸合作再上新台阶。

会上，新西兰建筑、健康、旅游、葡萄酒等领域企业推介了核心业务和合作需求。对接洽谈环节，活动针对新方需求组织了37家四川食品饮料、文创旅游、生物科技等行业企业现场对接。新西兰雾湾酒庄等代表希望借助四川国际商会会员基础及与红旗、老邻居等商超的联系，帮助新西兰红酒打开四川销售渠道；四川艾芬特智能科技有限公司与新西兰Nuwa Trading Ltd围绕客车、智能装备出口新西兰市场交流，并计划进一步跟进具体合作可能性。

国际联络部、四川国际商会有关人员参加活动。

Commentary in Chinese | 评论

这场在成都的对接会显示出中新经贸正从沿海口岸向中国西部下沉。中国是新西兰葡萄酒前十大出口市场之一，但四川并非传统优势区域——白酒主导、进口酒集中于省会，且澳大利亚酒回归后以成本优势挤压份额。雾湾酒庄等中小品牌借助四川国际商会与红旗、老邻居等区域连锁的日常联系，可避开全国性经销商的高门槛，直接进入社区零售终端，但需针对川菜重油重辣特点调整产品线，如高酸度长相思或起泡酒。

同时，四川智能装备企业瞄准新西兰客车电动化需求，但当地市场规模小、认证标准严，更适合小批量定制或零部件供应合作。RCEP下的服务贸易与投资便利化，比关税减免更值得NZ SME关注。此次56家企业对接虽规模有限，但为双方提供了低成本测试市场反应的入口。

关键词: 中新经贸对接会, 蜀一蜀二沙龙, 四川省贸促会, 新西兰奥克兰商会, 四川国际商会, 新西兰华商俱乐部, 56家企业, 37家四川企业, RCEP, 葡萄酒

Source: Sichuan International Economic and Trade Promotion Network