Chinese Ambassador to New Zealand discusses NZ-China relations and announces new scholarships to study in China
Ambassador Wang Lutong gave his first public lecture in New Zealand to a full house at Victoria University of Wellington. The lecture focused on New Zealand-China relations with particular emphasis on looking ahead and what China’s comprehensive reform means for New Zealand.
Ambassador Wang described the relationship as ‘pioneering’ and ‘exemplary’ and complemented the Prime Minister on his highly successful recent visit to China that produced many ‘fruitful benefits’ such as enhancing mutual trust, establishing currency trading and setting ambitious new trade goals.
The Ambassador then overviewed the highlights of the recently released reform agenda in China and discussed what certain policies will mean for New Zealand. Of particular interest was a resolve to increase urbanization, to put a stronger focus on environmental protection and enhancing food safety systems and to open China to more foreign capital in the services sector and to increase imports.
China’s comprehensive deepening of reform creates new opportunities for China-New Zealand cooperation. Ambassador Wang put forward a few for discussion, including, further uplifting political relations, increasing trade and investment, initiating more agriculture and animal husbandry cooperation, deepening technology and environmental cooperation, strengthening local exchanges and deepening cultural exchanges of tourists and students.
Ambassador Wang then took the opportunity to announce two new scholarships from the Embassy for Victoria students to study in China before opening the floor to questions from the audience.
The public lecture was jointly hosted by the New Zealand Contemporary China Research Centre and the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs and was introduced by Victoria’s Deputy Vice Chancellor of Research, Neil Quigley, with concluding comments and thanks from Peter Harris, Acting Director of the China Research Centre.
The full text of the speech can be found here.