Chaoshan Plus: Zhang Yikun’s Personal Homepage

Summary

Zhang Yikun, a native of Puning in Jieyang and a prominent figure in overseas Chinese business circles, was invited to a reception marking the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, hosted by the General Office of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, the United Front Work Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of the State Council. Zhang holds several roles, including standing director of the China Overseas Friendship Association, permanent honorary chairman and executive chairman of the International Chaozhou Federation, founding president of the New Zealand Chaoshan Association, chairman of the New Zealand Chaoshan Charitable Foundation and president of the New Zealand Chinese Chamber of Commerce. Separately, a China-Thailand economic and trade cooperation selection night themed 'Royal Appreciation · Royal Quality Coronation' was held in Guangzhou on 23 August, drawing nearly 100 domestic enterprises and representatives from various sectors to discuss premium product cooperation, brand internationalisation, resource matching and high-end business exchanges.

A member of the Thai royal family attended, and Dr Ke Wenbin was awarded and appointed as 'Envoy of China-Thailand Friendly Exchange' and 'Cultural and Educational Advisor to the Thai Royal Family'. After the New Zealand Chinese Chamber of Commerce was established, Chinese overseas Chinese affairs departments and Chinese chambers of commerce and business organisations from many countries and regions sent congratulatory letters expressing the hope that it will serve as an important bridge connecting New Zealand, China and Chinese businesses globally. Zhang gave an exclusive interview as its inaugural president.

When the 2019 International Chaozhou Federation Convention was held in Auckland, Zhang, as host, said it was more about responsibility, with the aim of bringing Chaozhou people around the world together, and that returning to Shantou this time was a return to the place of departure.

Commentary

The establishment of the New Zealand Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Zhang Yikun's active role signal that New Zealand's Chinese business network is accelerating its integration into the global Chaoshan business system. Chaoshan merchants are strong in food, trade and real estate, with deep roots in Southeast Asia, and New Zealand SMEs can use this platform to connect with markets in China and ASEAN. Zhang also serves as executive chairman of the International Chaozhou Federation, and his resource-integration capacity may provide channels for New Zealand brands to enter China's second- and third-tier cities, especially in dairy products, health supplements and wine.

On the other hand, frequent China-Thailand economic and trade activities mean that Thailand, as an ASEAN gateway, may divert some trade that previously transited through New Zealand, and NZ SMEs need to watch the restructuring of regional supply chains. If the New Zealand Chinese Chamber of Commerce can complement local chambers of commerce, it will help SMEs reduce the cost of trial and error in Asian markets.

Keywords: Zhang Yikun, New Zealand Chinese Chamber of Commerce, International Chaozhou Federation, 77th anniversary reception, China-Thailand economic and trade cooperation, Chinese business organisations, Auckland, Chaoshan

Summary in Chinese | 摘要

揭阳普宁籍杰出乡亲、中华海外联谊会常务理事、国际潮团总会永远荣誉主席兼执行主席、新西兰潮属总会创会会长、新西兰潮属慈善基金会主席、新西兰中华总商会会长张乙坤，受邀参加了由全国政协办公厅、中共中央统战部、国务院侨办等举办的庆祝中华人民共和国成立77周年招待会。相关报道还提到，8月23日以“亲王御鉴·御品加冕”为主题的中泰经贸合作甄选之夜活动在广州举行，国内近百家企业和各界人士齐聚，聚焦中泰优品合作、品牌出海、资源对接与高端商务交流，泰国王室成员差……出席，柯文彬博士被授予和聘请为“泰中友好交流使者”和“泰国亲王御用文化教育顾问”。此外，新西兰中华总商会成立消息传出后，中国侨务部门以及世界多个国家和地区中华总商会、华商组织纷纷发来贺函，寄望其成为连接新西兰、中国及全球华商的重要桥梁；张乙坤作为首任会长接受专访。

2019年国际潮团联谊年会在新西兰奥克兰举办时，张乙坤作为主办方表示更多是责任，想着把全球潮人凝聚在一起，此次回到汕头是回归、是回到出发的地方。

Commentary in Chinese | 评论

新西兰中华总商会的成立及张乙坤的活跃角色，标志着新西兰华商网络正加速融入全球潮商体系。潮商以食品、贸易和地产见长，在东南亚根基深厚，而新西兰中小企业可借助这一平台对接中国及东盟市场。张乙坤身兼国际潮团总会执行主席，其资源整合能力或为新西兰品牌进入中国二三线城市提供渠道，尤其在乳制品、保健品和葡萄酒领域。

另一方面，中泰经贸活动频繁，泰国作为东盟门户，可能分流部分原本经新西兰中转的贸易，NZ SME需关注区域供应链重构。新西兰中华总商会若能与本地商会形成互补，将有助于中小企业在亚洲市场降低试错成本。

关键词: 张乙坤, 新西兰中华总商会, 国际潮团总会, 国庆77周年招待会, 中泰经贸合作, 华商组织, 奥克兰, 潮汕

Source: Sohu.com