45th Anniversary Symposium
New Zealand’s relationship with China: Past, present and future
Date: Tuesday, 5 December, 9 am–12.30 pm.
Venue: Council Chamber, Hunter Building, Gate 2, Kelburn Campus, Victoria University of Wellington (map).
Hosted by Confucius Institute at Victoria University of Wellington, and the Wellington Branch of New Zealand Institute of International Affairs.
Supported by New Zealand China Council, New Zealand China Friendship Society, and New Zealand China Trade Association.
Symposium description
In the 45 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations on 22 December 1972, New Zealand’s ties with China have gone from being a link to a largely unknown country, to one of a New Zealand’s most important relationships. Xi Jinping called it a “comprehensive strategic partnership.” Premier Li Keqiang said the relationship is “the best it has ever been”. But questions are being asked about how far New Zealand can expect China to be the anchor for our continued prosperity. Does the next generation of New Zealanders see tensions and questions that will need to be considered and debated?
To mark this anniversary, a group of New Zealand–China related organisations will hold a symposium to reflect on the history and development of the relationship, examine its impact on New Zealand, and look at how it might evolve in the future. There will be a particular focus on the next generation of participants who will increasingly define this relationship, its politics and economics, and the growing importance of China capability and people-to-people connections to it.
Programme schedule
Key speakers
Rt Hon Winston Peters
Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Foreign Affairs, State-Owned Enterprises and Racing.
XIE Yuan
Vice President, Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC).
Christopher Elder
Former Ambassador to China, Senior Fellow, New Zealand Contemporary China Research Centre, Victoria University of Wellington.
Michael Powles
Former Ambassador to China and to the United Nation, Senior Fellow, Centre for Strategic Studies, Victoria University of Wellington.
Professor Siah Hwee Ang
BNZ Chair in Business in Asia, School of Marketing and International Business, Victoria University of Wellington.
Nathalie Harrington
Solicitor, Russell McVeagh.
Naisi Chen
Board Member, New Zealand China Council Advisory Board.
Charlie Gao
Partner, Mahon China Investment Management Ltd.
Dannielle A Thian
Senior Analyst, PricewaterhouseCoopers New Zealand.
Dr Jason Young
Acting Director, New Zealand Contemporary China Research Centre, Victoria University of Wellington.
Professor Brian Moloughney
Professor of Chinese History, Department of History and Art History, University of Otago, Associate Director, New Zealand Contemporary China Research Centre, Victoria University of Wellington.
Registration
Register now on Eventbrite.
Morning tea and lunch included.