When it comes to Asia, the New Zealanders immediately think of China

New Zealand's "STUFF" website on August 15th, original title: If New Zealand's relationship with China has changed, is there any response plan? Asia's huge scale, diversity, and change speed has formed a fascinating list with many noticeable countries on it. Despite the diverse topics, China has always been the most lingering topics that make business circles and wider New Zealand. As long as Asia is mentioned, the New Zealanders first think of China. In view of the rapid growth of new China -China trade relations in the past 20 years, it is no wonder that China has been placed at the forefront and central position by many New Zealanders.

Earlier this month, with the annual New Zealand China Business Summit, China once again became the focus of attention in Auckland (New Zealand's largest city -editor note). The summit has attracted enthusiasm for enterprises across New Zealand. Many politicians such as New Zealand Prime Minister, Minister of Trade and Export Growth have delivered important speeches. The analysis of various speeches made me feel deeply. The businessmen expressed their pleasure, because the Prime Minister's speech was "backward" compared with her previous remarks -this may reflect the reality of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries this year. But some people think that the government is worried about bilateral relations. The key question is how to manage this relationship. Australian expert Allen Golder reminded that on both sides of the Tasman Sea (referring to Australia and New Zealand -editor's note), the debate about China relations has become a "safety" topic. The labels of appeasement "or" warriors "are less and less viewed.

At the summit, business people clearly stated that China is an excellent market for them to have a broad prospect. New China relations issues will have a wide range of impacts on any negative changes caused by them into the Chinese market. Not only hurt them, they also hurt employees, and eventually seriously affect the New Zealand government's treasury. The New Zealand government clearly clarified the risk of putting commercial eggs in a basket (China).

Both parties (business and political circles) think that they have passed key information, but this does not make New Zealanders particularly satisfied. If it is unpredictable, China has become a market that New Zealand is more difficult to enter. It is useful to listen to how companies consider emergency plans. It is also useful to hear what measures to take from the Wellington government to maximize the possibility of tension with China. In addition to some future ministerial access, which measures can we take to establish positive relationships with Chinese decision makers? Are we carrying out international cooperation with China in some specific areas, such as climate change, fishery or subsidy reform?

Undoubtedly, some people are considering these issues in various enterprises and government departments dealing with China, but the lack of public discussion means a vacuum area. At the end of the summit, I felt that the gap between Auckland and Wellington was still as big as before -this is not a good thing after all. ▲ (The author is the executive director of the Asian New Zealand Foundation Simon Draper, translated by Ding Yan)

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