China’s Acting Chargé d’Affaires Xie Yongjun Attends Launch

Summary

Xie Yongjun, Acting Chargé d'Affaires at the Chinese Embassy in New Zealand, attended and addressed the launch ceremony of the 2026 China-New Zealand Scientist Exchange Programme on 14 October 2026. Also present were Justin Dhu, Chief Executive of the Royal Society Te Apārangi, former President Brent Clothier, Sarah Mackie, Senior Policy Adviser for International Science and Technology Cooperation at the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, Zhang Huasheng, Deputy Director-General of the Department of International Cooperation at China's Ministry of Science and Technology, Zhao Shufan, Deputy Director of the China Science and Technology Exchange Centre, along with young Chinese scientists and representatives of New Zealand research institutions. Xie congratulated the programme on its smooth launch, noting that this year marks the opening of the 15th Five-Year Plan.

He said China will continue to uphold an open, inclusive and mutually beneficial approach to international science and technology cooperation, expand Belt and Road science and technology cooperation, and participate deeply in and help lead global science and technology governance. China is willing to deepen science, technology and innovation exchanges and cooperation with New Zealand to jointly address global challenges and build a better future together. Following the launch ceremony, 10 young Chinese scientists departed for New Zealand institutions to undertake four to six weeks of research exchange.

Commentary

The China-New Zealand Scientist Exchange Programme continues the two countries' long tradition of cooperation in science and technology. The involvement of the Royal Society Te Apārangi, New Zealand's highest scientific body, underscores the official emphasis on basic research and the movement of talent. For China, it is a practical measure under the 15th Five-Year Plan to expand Belt and Road science and technology cooperation; for New Zealand small and medium-sized enterprises, the short-term visits by young scientists may not generate commercial orders directly, but they could create opportunities for technology transfer and joint research and development.

In agricultural technology, for example, New Zealand's research strengths in dairy and horticulture complement China's investment in digital agriculture and biotechnology, and SMEs can use such exchange networks to access cutting-edge technical information and reduce the cost of in-house research and development. On the other hand, the programme is limited in scale — 10 scientists, four to six weeks — and real commercial conversion requires longer-term industry engagement mechanisms. The participation of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment indicates the government's intent to link research cooperation with economic growth, but SMEs seeking to benefit need to actively monitor subsequent project calls and outcome announcements.

As global science and technology competition intensifies, China-New Zealand cooperation in non-sensitive areas helps maintain a stable technology supply chain, which is particularly important for New Zealand firms that rely on imported equipment or technology licences.

Keywords: China-New Zealand Scientist Exchange Programme, Xie Yongjun, Royal Society Te Apārangi, science and technology cooperation, young scientists, 15th Five-Year Plan, Belt and Road, Chinese Embassy in New Zealand

Summary in Chinese | 摘要

2026年10月14日，中国驻新西兰使馆临时代办解勇军应邀出席2026年中新科学家交流计划启动仪式并致辞。新西兰皇家学会首席执行官贾斯汀·杜、前任主席布伦特·克洛希尔，商业创新与就业部国际科技合作高级政策顾问莎拉·麦基，中国科技部国际合作司副司长张华胜、科技交流中心副主任赵树璠，以及中方青年科学家和新方科研机构代表参加。解勇军祝贺交流计划顺利启动，表示今年是“十五五”规划开局之年，中国将继续坚持开放包容、互惠共享的国际科技合作理念，拓展“一带一路”科技合作，深度参与和引领全球科技治理，愿与新西兰深化科技创新交流合作，共同应对全球挑战，共建更加美好未来。

启动仪式后，中方10名青年科学家分赴新方机构开展4—6周的科研交流。

Commentary in Chinese | 评论

中新科学家交流计划延续了两国在科技领域的长期合作传统。新西兰皇家学会作为本国最高科学机构，其参与凸显了官方层面对基础研究与人才流动的重视。对中国而言，这是“十五五”规划下拓展“一带一路”科技合作的务实举措；对新西兰中小企业来说，青年科学家的短期互访虽不直接产生商业订单，却可能催生技术转移与联合研发的契机。

以农业科技为例，新西兰在乳制品、园艺领域的研发优势与中国在数字农业、生物技术上的投入存在互补空间，中小企业可借助此类交流网络获取前沿技术信息，降低自主研发成本。另一方面，交流计划规模有限（10名科学家、4—6周），实际商业转化需更长期的产业对接机制。新西兰商业创新与就业部的参与表明政府有意将科研合作与经济增长挂钩，但中小企业若想从中受益，需主动关注后续项目征集与成果发布渠道。

当前全球科技竞争加剧，中新在非敏感领域的合作有助于维持稳定的技术供应链，这对依赖进口设备或技术许可的新西兰企业尤为重要。

关键词: 中新科学家交流计划, 解勇军, 新西兰皇家学会, 科技合作, 青年科学家, 十五五规划, 一带一路, 中国驻新西兰使馆

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