Summary
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning fielded questions at the regular press conference on 3 November 2026. The ninth China International Import Expo runs in Shanghai from 5 to 10 November, with foreign leaders including Gabonese President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, Austrian Chancellor Wolfgang Stöcker, Liberian Vice-President Jeremiah Kpan Koung, Cuban Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment Oscar Pérez-Oliva Fraga, Slovak Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy Denisa Saková, and Georgian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development Levan Kvarishvili attending the opening ceremony and related events at invitation. On the opening of the 2026 World Internet Conference in Wuzhen, Mao said this year's theme is "Open Source, Open Collaboration, Shared Development — Jointly Building a Community with a Shared Future in Cyberspace".
Premier Li Qiang attended the opening ceremony and delivered a keynote speech. President Xi Jinping proposed the vision of building a community with a shared future in cyberspace in 2015. China advocates technology empowerment, credibility and controllability, inclusive and balanced development, and open dialogue, and opposes the creation of a "digital iron curtain".
On the state visit to China by Sultan Haitham bin Tariq of Oman, Mao said President Xi Jinping had an in-depth exchange of views with him and reached important common understandings, providing top-level design for the development of bilateral relations in the next stage, and Premier Li Qiang held comprehensive exchanges with him on cooperation in various fields. On this year's APEC Foreign and Trade Ministers' Meeting held via video link, Mao said China, as host, made the decision after taking full account of various factors and with a view to ensuring the effectiveness of the meeting, and believes the meeting will achieve positive results and prepare for the informal leaders' meeting. Wang Yi met separately in Beijing with officials responsible for national security affairs from Saudi Arabia and Iran.
China is willing to continue making active efforts to promote dialogue and ease the situation, and has consistently held that military means cannot solve problems. Asked about Nvidia's request that some data centre partners provide at least 51 percent of their services to non-Chinese companies, Mao said she was not aware of the specific situation, but all parties should conduct cooperation in accordance with the principles of fairness, transparency and non-discrimination.
Commentary
The ninth China International Import Expo opens in Shanghai this week, with leaders from multiple countries attending — a signal of the Chinese market's continued openness. For New Zealand small and medium-sized enterprises, the expo is both a shop window and a springboard into China's vast consumer market. China has been New Zealand's largest trading partner for many consecutive years, with two-way trade exceeding NZ$40 billion in 2025.
New Zealand's dairy products, meat, wine and health supplements enjoy a strong reputation in China but face pressure from competitors such as Australia and the European Union. The expo gives New Zealand companies a chance to connect directly with Chinese buyers and consumers, and is particularly suited to smaller brands that have yet to establish distribution channels in China. At the same time, the World Internet Conference's emphasis on open source, openness and AI governance, and China's opposition to a "digital iron curtain", send a positive signal for New Zealand technology companies looking to participate in China's digital ecosystem.
However, reports that Nvidia is asking data centre partners to limit the proportion of services provided to China reflect the continuing impact of the China-US technology rivalry. New Zealand companies involved in artificial intelligence or cloud computing services need to be alert to geopolitical risks and avoid over-reliance on a single market in technology supply chains. The APEC Foreign and Trade Ministers' Meeting held via video link shows China balancing efficiency and security in regional cooperation.
As an APEC member, New Zealand should monitor how the meeting's outcomes advance trade facilitation in the Asia-Pacific. The Sultan of Oman's visit to China produced strategic common understandings, showing China expanding its influence in the Middle East. This may indirectly affect global energy prices and shipping routes, and New Zealand importers and exporters should watch related developments.
During the expo, New Zealand companies could focus on distribution channels and e-commerce cooperation opportunities in China's second- and third-tier cities, make good use of the tariff preferences under the upgraded China-New Zealand free trade agreement, and build brand recognition in niche areas.
Keywords: Foreign Ministry regular press conference, Mao Ning, China International Import Expo, World Internet Conference, community with a shared future in cyberspace, APEC Foreign and Trade Ministers' Meeting, Middle East and Gulf situation, Nvidia
Photo by TheDigitalArtist on Pixabay
Source: Consulate-General of the People's Republic of China in Auckland – Into the Consular District
Disclaimer: This article is compiled from publicly available sources for general information only. The analysis and commentary are editorial opinions. MiDeer Observer does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information provided. Readers should seek independent professional advice before relying on this content, or contact us for more information.
