Summary
On 25 May, Shi Xiaolin, Governor of Sichuan Province, met with a delegation led by Todd McClay, New Zealand Minister for Trade and Investment, in Chengdu. Shi noted that New Zealand is an important economic and trade partner for Sichuan, and that under the strategic guidance of the two countries' leaders, the two sides have maintained close exchanges, strengthened economic and trade ties, and enjoyed frequent people-to-people and cultural interactions. As the China-New Zealand Comprehensive Strategic Partnership enters a new decade, Sichuan is advancing its 15th Five-Year Plan development, presenting new opportunities for cooperation.
She expressed hope to consolidate the cooperation foundation, utilise platforms such as the Western China International Fair and the China Food and Drinks Fair, and expand cooperation in areas including modern agriculture, advanced manufacturing, digital economy, clean energy, green and low-carbon development, as well as cultural tourism and education. McClay stated that the New Zealand-China relationship is important, and that Sichuan is a key economic, trade and investment partner with close ties in food trade, cultural tourism, education, science and technology. He expressed hope for the resumption of direct flights to facilitate personnel exchanges.
Vice Governor Ren Jingdong, Secretary-General of the Provincial Government Hu Yuankun, and Deputy Head of Mission of the New Zealand Embassy in China Annaliese Cremasco also attended the meeting.
Commentary
This meeting sends a positive signal for deepening subnational cooperation between China and New Zealand, implying potential market expansion opportunities for New Zealand small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). In particular, Sichuan, as an economic centre in western China, has a large and rapidly growing consumer market with strong demand in food, cultural tourism, education and other sectors. The discussion on resuming direct flights will directly reduce business travel costs and improve trade efficiency.
However, it should be noted that implementation of cooperation will take time; SMEs should pay attention to specific industry support policies, such as Sichuan's subsidy measures for modern agriculture and clean energy, and plan supply chains in advance. On the other hand, New Zealand exporters may face more intense local competition and need to strengthen brand differentiation and quality advantages. Overall, this visit opens a window for SMEs, but they should carefully assess their own resources and ability to connect with local channels.
Keywords: Sichuan, New Zealand, trade and investment, cooperation, modern agriculture, direct flights, cultural tourism and education, digital economy, clean energy
Summary in Chinese | 摘要
5月25日，四川省省长施小琳在成都会见新西兰贸易与投资部长麦克莱一行。施小琳表示，新西兰是四川重要的经贸合作伙伴，双方在两国领导人战略引领下保持密切互访，经贸往来加强，人文交流频繁。当前中新全面战略伙伴关系进入新十年，四川正推动“十五五”发展，双方合作面临新机遇。
她希望巩固合作基础，利用西博会、糖酒会等平台，拓展现代农业、高端制造、数字经济、清洁能源、绿色低碳、文旅教育等领域合作。麦克莱表示新中关系重要，四川是重要经贸投资伙伴，在食品贸易、文旅、教育、科技等领域合作紧密，希望恢复直飞航线，便利人员往来。副省长任京东、省政府秘书长胡元坤、新西兰驻华使馆副馆长司爱莉等参加会见。
Commentary in Chinese | 评论
此次会见释放出中新地方合作深化的积极信号，对新西兰中小企业主意味着潜在的市场拓展机会。尤其四川作为中国西部经济中心，消费市场庞大且增长迅速，在食品、文旅、教育等领域需求旺盛。直飞航线复航的讨论将直接降低商务往来成本，提升贸易效率。
但需注意，合作落地需要时间，中小企业应关注具体产业支持政策，如四川对现代农业和清洁能源的补贴措施，提前布局供应链。另一方面，新西兰出口商可能面临更激烈的本地竞争，需强化品牌差异化和质量优势。总体而言，此访为中小企业打开窗口，但需谨慎评估自身资源与当地渠道对接能力。
关键词: 四川, 新西兰, 贸易投资, 合作, 现代农业, 直飞航线, 文旅教育, 数字经济, 清洁能源
Source: Embassy of the People's Republic of China in New Zealand – Bilateral Relations
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