Chinese Ambassador to New Zealand Wang Xiaolong Publishes an Article in NZ Herald's The Silk Road Edit --What Can China Bring to New Zealand in an Uncertain World?

Every day, the news seems to deliver a familiar set of concerns: wars and conflicts, trade disputes, slowing economic growth, rising living costs, and an increasingly complex international environment. Uncertainty has become one of the defining features of our time. The more unpredictable the world becomes, the more people search for something they can rely on. Where will future economic growth come from? What can restore confidence in the years ahead? For New Zealand, China has increasingly become part of the answer.

Against a backdrop of slowing global growth and mounting uncertainty in international trade, China–New Zealand relations have maintained steady momentum and delivered a series of positive outcomes. Bilateral trade continues to expand, Chinese visitors are returning to destinations across New Zealand, and Chinese students have rejoined university campuses. Economic and people-to-people exchanges are steadily recovering and deepening. These developments may not attract the same attention as major international headlines, but they are translating into more orders, more visitors, stronger employment, and greater economic vitality. In an increasingly uncertain world, China is providing New Zealand with something that has become ever more valuable: certainty.

China has remained New Zealand’s largest trading partner for many years. In 2025, bilateral trade exceeded NZ$42 billion, with merchandise trade between the two countries exceeding New Zealand’s merchandise trade with its second- and third-largest trading partners combined. From dairy farmers in Waikato and kiwifruit growers in the Bay of Plenty, to lamb and beef producers in Canterbury and forestry businesses in Northland and the East Coast, opportunities created by the Chinese market reach communities across the country. For many New Zealanders, the Chinese market is far more than an abstract economic figure. It helps determine whether farms remain profitable, factories continue operating, ports stay busy, and whether young people can find jobs close to home.

For New Zealand businesses, China offers not only a vast market, but also opportunities for stable growth, employment, and long-term development. According to the latest Business Outlook Survey Report released by the New Zealand Business Roundtable in China (NZBRiC), New Zealand businesses remain highly confident about opportunities in the Chinese market. 64 percent of respondents reported high or very high optimism regarding their Chinese operations. Total confidence increased from 94 percent last year to 97 percent, while 51 percent of surveyed businesses saw an expansion in profits. The findings show that despite global economic challenges, China remains a key growth market for New Zealand.

Trade connects the economies of China and New Zealand, while tourism brings the two peoples closer together. Last November, the New Zealand Government introduced two new visa facilitation measures for Chinese citizens, including visa-free entry for eligible Chinese travellers holding valid Australian visas. Within six months of these measures taking effect, arrivals from China increased by more than 40 percent. Chinese visitors spent an average of NZ$5,800 per trip, generating an estimated NZ$210 million in economic benefits for New Zealand businesses. This spend flows to hotels, cafés, restaurants and retail stores, ultimately creating business opportunities and supporting jobs and household incomes throughout New Zealand.

Beyond trade and tourism, what ultimately gives a bilateral relationship lasting strength is the trust and friendship built between people. The Chinese community now accounts for close to 6 percent of New Zealand’s population. They are an integral part of New Zealand’s multicultural society and an important bridge for mutual understanding and friendship between the two countries. Over many years, they have made valuable contributions to the continued development of China–New Zealand relations.

China–New Zealand friendship is built on a strong historical foundation. Next year marks the 100th anniversary of Rewi Alley’s arrival in China. Rewi Alley is a household name in China. President Xi Jinping has described him as “a great internationalist and an old friend of the Chinese people,” and as a lasting symbol of the friendship between the peoples of China and New Zealand. From now until next year, a series of commemorative events will be held in both China and New Zealand to mark this important milestone. They will provide an opportunity not only to honour a pioneer of friendship, but also to strengthen historical ties, deepen mutual understanding, and open a new chapter in China–New Zealand friendship.

This connection continues today through education and youth exchanges. Tens of thousands of Chinese students study in New Zealand. They not only support universities and local economies, but also serve as important bridges connecting the cultures of our two countries. At the same time, more and more New Zealand students are learning Chinese, an increasing number of universities in both countries are carrying out joint research, and local communities across New Zealand are celebrating Chinese festivals such as the Spring Festival, the Lantern Festival and the Dragon Boat Festival. Many New Zealanders have Chinese classmates, colleagues, neighbours or friends. These everyday interactions may seem ordinary, but they help people in both countries better understand one another. They also make China feel less distant, and instead an increasingly familiar, approachable and trusted partner.

China regards New Zealand as an important partner and friend. Guided by mutual respect and a spirit of cooperation, China–New Zealand relations have long been at the forefront of China’s relations with developed Western countries. In recent years, the China–New Zealand Comprehensive Strategic Partnership has continued to deepen. For New Zealand, China is its largest trading partner, largest export market, and an important source of international students and tourists. The two countries are also important partners in the Asia-Pacific region.

Not surprisingly, China and New Zealand do not agree on everything. As two countries with different histories, political systems and national circumstances, it is only natural that differences of perspective exist. What is equally important, however, is that both countries have maintained communication, remained committed to managing differences constructively, and continued to consolidate and expand the shared interests.

Speaking at this year’s China Business Summit, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon noted that China contributes around one-third of global economic growth and remains one of New Zealand’s greatest opportunities. He encouraged New Zealand businesses to continue embracing the opportunities offered by the Chinese market, to maximise cooperation where the interests of both sides align, and to manage differences in a predictable and consistent way. This reflects not only New Zealand’s pragmatic approach to its relationship with China, but also a simple reality: in an increasingly uncertain world, the stable, open and dynamic market in China is more important to New Zealand than ever before.

Looking ahead, there is significant potential for China and New Zealand to create further opportunities for shared growth. China is implementing its 15th Five-Year Plan while continuing to deepen reform and pursue high-standard opening up. This will create broader opportunities for bilateral cooperation and unlock new possibilities for partners around the world, including New Zealand. As cooperation in traditional areas continues to grow, new opportunities are emerging in fields including clean energy, electric vehicles and energy storage. China’s rapid progress in green industries and advanced manufacturing complements New Zealand’s strengths in renewable energy, sustainable agriculture and environmental protection. Looking to the future, both countries can further expand cooperation in emerging sectors such as the digital economy, artificial intelligence and biotechnology, creating new engines of growth for both economies.

As countries whose prosperity depends heavily on international trade and an open global economy, China and New Zealand both recognise the importance of a stable and effective multilateral system. Both countries are active participants in key multilateral frameworks, including the United Nations, the World Trade Organization (WTO), the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). Beyond trade and economic ties, the two countries share common interests and responsibilities in addressing global challenges, including climate change, sustainable development and food security. For New Zealand, an export-oriented economy, a rules-based and effective multilateral system provides not only a fair and predictable environment for trade, but also an important foundation for protecting its interests and participating in global affairs. For China, as a major global economy and trading nation, a stable multilateral system is equally important in advancing cooperation and promoting shared development.

Today, the international landscape is undergoing profound changes, with the authority of the United Nations and multilateralism facing increasing challenges. Some countries have reduced their support for multilateral mechanisms or sought to weaken existing international institutions, creating uncertainty for global governance. China has consistently upheld multilateralism, supported the international system with the United Nations at its core and the multilateral trading system centred on the WTO, and advocated that global affairs should be addressed through consultation among countries and that international rules should be developed jointly by all nations. An effective multilateral system helps keep trade open, address climate change, strengthen global health cooperation and provide a more stable and predictable environment for countries including China and New Zealand. For both countries, upholding an international order based on international law is not only in our shared interests, but also a practical choice in navigating an increasingly uncertain world.

In a world often defined by bad news, these developments, though often out of the news, are among the most encouraging stories. At a time of growing global uncertainty, the real challenge is not to eliminate every difference, but to manage differences constructively, identify shared interests, and create opportunities through cooperation.

The history of China–New Zealand relations demonstrates that when the two countries engage with openness, mutual trust and practical cooperation, both sides benefit. In this context, China’s development is an opportunity for New Zealand to seize, not a threat to be feared. With highly complementary economies and broad shared interests, the two countries are well placed to deepen cooperation, strengthen mutual understanding, and build a more resilient and prosperous future for both peoples.

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