Chinese Academy of Social Sciences Roundtable

Photo of the Delegation from Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and NZCCRC — Roundtable participants from L to R: Dr James To, Dr Xu Xiujun, Dr Weijiang Feng, Professor Xiaoming Huang, Dr Jie Sun, Director Zhang Yuyan, Dr Jason Young, Pip McLachlan and Dr Jake Lin

The New Zealand Contemporary China Research Centre (NZCCRC) hosted a delegation from the Institute of World Economics and Politics (IWEP) at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) on Thursday the 7^th of September. The Chinese delegation was led by Director Zhang Yuyan. Director Zhang was joined by Dr Jie Sun, Dr Weijiang Feng and Dr Xu Xiujun of IWEP. Scholars and representatives from the NZCCRC, Victoria University of Wellington and the Asia New Zealand Foundation participated.

The Roundtable provided an opportunity for discussion of a range of issues relevant to the Asia-Pacific. Topics discussed included the Belt and Road Initiative, the role of China and New Zealand in the South Pacific and the development of New Zealand-China relations. The dialogue led to greater understanding of the policy positions of each country in the region, highlighted existing challenges and areas for increased cooperation as well as reaffirming the longstanding relationship between NZCCRC and IWEP. Particular attention was paid to how the Belt and Road Initiative relates to development in the Pacific.