Summary
Chinese Ambassador to New Zealand Zhao Xing presented a copy of his credentials to Walsh, Director of the Protocol Division at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, on 29 October 2026, and met with Darlow, Director of the North Asia Division at MFAT. Zhao said he was honoured to serve as ambassador and noted that over more than half a century since diplomatic relations were established, the bilateral relationship has long been at the forefront of China's ties with developed Western countries thanks to joint efforts. China is ready to work with New Zealand to implement the important common understandings reached by the two leaders, deepen exchanges and cooperation across fields and take the relationship to greater heights from a new starting point.
New Zealand welcomed Zhao to his post and will continue to provide support and assistance for the performance of his duties. It said it attaches great importance to relations with China, noting frequent exchanges in various fields, and looks forward to strengthening bilateral and multilateral cooperation with China and supporting China in hosting APEC. Zhao arrived in Wellington with his wife on 24 October to take up his post.
Commentary
The presentation of a copy of the credentials by the new Chinese Ambassador to New Zealand, Zhao Xing, marks a new phase in the diplomatic relationship. Zhao stressed that the relationship has long been at the forefront of China's ties with developed Western countries, and New Zealand said it attaches great importance to relations with China and supports China in hosting APEC. For New Zealand small and medium-sized business owners, this diplomatic step is more than a ceremonial procedure; it could inject new certainty into bilateral trade and economic cooperation.
Under the upgraded China-New Zealand free trade agreement, New Zealand dairy products, timber and seafood already enjoy more preferential tariffs on the China market, and a stable political relationship helps reduce the risk of non-tariff barriers. On the other hand, New Zealand SMEs expanding into China still need to watch changes in China's domestic industrial policy, such as tightening regulation of food safety and sustainable packaging, which may raise compliance costs. Against the industry backdrop, China is New Zealand's largest trading partner, with two-way trade exceeding NZ$40 billion in 2025, of which dairy accounts for about one-third of exports to China.
Large co-operatives such as Fonterra are deeply tied to the China market, while many smaller exporters still rely on agents and lack direct channels. If the new ambassador can promote more trade and economic matchmaking events at the local level, it could create opportunities for SMEs to engage directly with Chinese buyers. At the same time, New Zealand firms should note the competitive pressure from the warming of relations between China and Australia, with Australian dairy products and wine regaining market share in China.
Zhao previously handled Asia-Pacific affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and has a deep understanding of regional economic cooperation; his arrival may help advance China-New Zealand cooperation projects in emerging areas such as the digital economy and green energy. For New Zealand importers reliant on Chinese supply chains, stable diplomatic relations are equally important, as they can reduce customs delays or contract risks caused by political fluctuations.
Keywords: Zhao Xing, presentation of credentials copy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, China-New Zealand relations, Walsh, Darlow, Wellington, APEC
Photo from Unsplash (placeholder)
Source: Chinese Embassy in New Zealand
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.
