China's 'One Belt, One Road' Strategy and New Zealand

The New Zealand Contemporary China Research Centre (NZCCRC) hosted a roundtable discussion with scholars from China to discuss the ‘One Belt, One Road’ (OBOR). The Chinese delegation included Mr. HE Chuantian, Vice-Chancellor, Guangdong University of Foreign Studies, Mr. ZHAO Longyue, Professor, Zhou Enlai School of Government, Nankai University, Mr. ZHANG Yi, Research Fellow, Guangdong Institute for International Strategies and Mr. LI Yan, Second Secretary, Department of North American and Oceanian Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The roundtable produced engaging discussions where New Zealand and Chinese scholars were able to constructively discuss a number of issues in the region. This included New Zealand’s economic position with regards to China’s ‘One Belt, One Road’ Initiative; areas in which it may be possible to further economic cooperation and the strategic objectives in the New Zealand-China relationship.  Most of the discussion centred on New Zealand and China’s developmental strategies, the objectives of the ‘One Belt, One Road’ initiative and the importance of promoting a mutual understanding of each other as New Zealand and China become more economically interdependent.