#1. Refreshing Relationships: NZCC's Return to China after Four Years
The New Zealand China Council (NZCC) recently embarked on a long-awaited visit to China, its first since 2019. The delegation, led by NZCC Chair John McKinnon, made stops in Shanghai, Beijing, Shenzhen, and Hong Kong, aiming to re-establish commercial relationships and gain insights into the current Chinese business environment.
In Shanghai, the delegation engaged with local businesses and explored consumer trends during a retail tour hosted by China Skinny. The NZCC also met with students from Shanghai International Studies University to discuss international study perspectives and visited Fonterra's Application Centre to learn more about rapid innovation in the food sector.
In Beijing, the team participated in a roundtable with the China Centre of Globalisation, discussing the post-COVID NZ-China relationship and regional trade. They also visited the Chinese People's Institute of Foreign Affairs, no doubt further strengthening diplomatic dialogue.
In Shenzhen, a city known as an economic powerhouse for its rapid transformation and innovation, Council delegates met with local NZ MBA graduates and visited the headquarters of ZURU, an NZ-led company. This leg of the trip helped with understanding the performance of the Southern China manufacturing sector. Furthermore, the visit confirmed Shenzhen's commitment to sustainable innovation and growth.
Lastly, the delegation visited Hong Kong to examine the region's ongoing recovery efforts amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and its role as a significant regional finance hub linking China with the world. This stop underlined the importance of Hong Kong to New Zealand as one of the latter’s top 15 export markets, despite the Asian city’s small size.
For more details about their trip and to learn more about the Council, check out their website.
#2. Tsingmiao CareersLab 2023, brought to you by Yours Truly and AUCSS
Recently, several of YA’s very own committee members (David, Kelly, Allan, Judy, and Chris) helped organise and participated in a YA x Auckland University Chinese Student Society joint event: Tsingmiao: CareersLab 2023. As a careers expo and networking function, the evening event offered Chinese university students in Tāmaki Makaurau a unique opportunity to meet and network with representatives from a dearth of companies and organisations. Stalls on the day featured names like Deloitte, Buddle Findlay, MSD, Samsung, HSBC, and many more! Here at the YA, the expo proved to be a great success for expanding our network, enabling us to make new friends and gain wider exposure for the YA among tertiary students.
But wait, there’s more…
Looking ahead, we have exciting news to share! The NZCTA YA will begin recruiting for new executives to join our committee in the very near future! Keep an eye out for this if you’re interested in an excellent opportunity to join our ranks and contribute to the growth and success of our association, the NZ-China relationship, and - of course - yourself!
#3. Asian Ink - Calling all NZ Asian writers!
Playmarket's Asian Ink development programme is looking for NZ Asian writers with the best new and original work. The programme offers playwrights a development workshop with a professional script advisor and actors dedicated to helping you develop your play.
Plays previously selected for Asian Ink development include Scenes from a Yellow Peril by Nathan Joe, Pork and Poll Taxes by Talia Pua, Not Woman Enough by Hweiling Ow, Orientation by Chye-Ling Huang, MoodPorn by Matthew Loveranes, and Let's Save the Universe by Benjamin Teh.
Submissions can only be entered into this programme once, and you may enter a maximum of three scripts. Plays entered under this programme may have been previously produced.
Submissions can be made via Asian Ink’s website here.
#4. Apply now to visit China’s Beijing, Suzhou &Shanghai!
Eager to visit China? Interested in the services sector? North Asia CAPE is currently accepting applications from emerging business leaders in Aotearoa for a funded study tour to several Chinese cities!
The services industry encompasses a variety of areas, such as education, tourism, logistics, and fitness, and the Chinese market offers valuable insights into just how incredible the pace, depth, and demand for this sector can be. As such, NA CAPE is encouraging interested young people to submit applications to join a delegation which will meet New Zealand companies and organisations in major Chinese cities and learn more about subsectors like tourism, media, and education.
The study tour will occur between the 5th and 13th August of this year, and get in quick if you’re keen to apply as applications close at 5pm on Wednesday 7th June.
You can read more about this opportunity, including how to apply, at the NA CAPE website here.