AUCKLAND, New Zealand, Nov. 16 (Xinhua) -- A conference featuring unique business and investment opportunities between China and New Zealand has been held in Auckland, New Zealand.
The 2019 China New Zealand Entrepreneur Investment Cooperation Exchange Conference, held on Friday, was co-organized by the Sino-international Entrepreneurs Federation (SIEF) and the New Zealand China Investment and Trade Association (NZIT).
According to the organizers, approximately 30 entrepreneurs from China, 80 entrepreneurs from New Zealand participated in the conference.
Joshua Zong, Chairman of the NZIT, acknowledged that, "It is the first business group came to New Zealand since New Zealand has secured an upgrade in its free trade agreement with China on Nov. 4, 2019."
China's Ministry of Commerce announced on Nov. 4 the conclusion of negotiations on upgrading the existing Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between China and New Zealand.
Raymond Huo, MP of New Zealand Labour Party, stressed that "the first free trade agreement with China was signed in 2008, China has been New Zealand's largest trading partner, the largest source of international students, and second-largest source of tourists now."
New Zealand government Race Relations Commissioner Meng Foon said that, "We want to make sure that people have the opportunity to do business, to be part of our beautiful country and to celebrate the success."
Paul Young, Councilor of Auckland stressed that, "New Zealand is my home, we have lots of people migrant from China and they do well. We are looking forward to that we have a great opportunity in the future for both China and New Zealand for the business."
Salote Lupepau'u Taione, the princess of Tonga Kingdom, highlighted that, "I am here to speak of the bond between Tonga and China, how we can strengthen what we have forged together and the way forward."
Tony Dong, executive director of the SIEF, introduced the business background of the entrepreneur group from China during the conference.
