Former NZ PM looks to Shenzhen APEC for a way forward

Summary

Former New Zealand Prime Minister Jenny Shipley said New Zealand is willing to take an active part in the 33rd APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Shenzhen, speaking in Beijing on 11 October 2026 at the Mingshi Strategic Dialogue (2026) held at Renmin University of China's Tongzhou campus under the theme 'Resilience and Vitality: New Opportunities for the World from China's Development'. In an interview with CGTN Radio's Global Insight, she said she hopes the meeting will reach consensus on multilateral co-operation, free trade and climate change, and chart a direction for the world to emerge from a difficult period. From New Zealand's perspective, APEC leaders' meetings are aimed at promoting co-operation in the Asia-Pacific, she said.

New Zealand is a small country but loves peace and respects rules, and wants the rule of law and the multilateral system to be respected and effectively implemented. New Zealand will attend actively and push for co-operation, which is highly consistent with China's desire to promote innovation, collaboration and connectivity, she said, adding that the themes are highly relevant to New Zealand, China and Pacific neighbours, and that New Zealand and Australia carry a heavy responsibility in helping neighbours develop together. She also said climate change is a major issue in the Pacific, with sea levels rising, and that technology sharing should be discussed under the APEC framework to mitigate impacts and help people adapt.

New Zealand supports dialogue, exchange and fair competition, and looks for progress on fairness, transparency and free trade, she said.

Commentary

Former New Zealand Prime Minister Jenny Shipley's remarks ahead of APEC in Shenzhen highlight the pressing need among smaller economies for multilateral co-operation and a rules-based order. With protectionism on the rise and supply chains becoming more regionalised, APEC — the Asia-Pacific's most important economic co-operation platform — will directly shape the trade environment for New Zealand firms. About a quarter of New Zealand's exports go to APEC economies, with China the largest trading partner, and primary products such as dairy, timber and seafood depend heavily on Asia-Pacific market access.

Shipley's emphasis on fair competition and transparency speaks to the non-tariff barriers New Zealand small and medium-sized enterprises often face offshore. For industry, the rising profile of Pacific island climate issues creates export opportunities for New Zealand firms in clean technology, renewable energy and disaster management, but technology-sharing mechanisms are not yet mature, and companies need to watch specific co-operation projects under the APEC framework. If APEC makes a breakthrough on digital trade rules, compliance costs for New Zealand e-commerce and software service providers entering Asian markets would fall.

Yet APEC consensus often lags political statements, and New Zealand firms should engage in industry dialogue and embed their priorities in the regional agenda rather than wait passively for policy dividends. If the Shenzhen meeting produces action initiatives in practical areas such as supply chain resilience and SME digitalisation, exporters would see more predictable customs processes and lower cross-border transaction costs.

Keywords: Jenny Shipley, APEC, Shenzhen APEC, multilateral co-operation, free trade, climate change, Mingshi Strategic Dialogue, New Zealand, Pacific region, connectivity

Source: RDCY Website