Transcript Speech by Chinese Ambassador Xu Jianguo at Sister Cities

Speech by Chinese Ambassador Xu
Jianguo at Sister Cities New Zealand
(SCNZ) 2012 Annual Conference
May 10th 2012
Fruitful Achievements of China-New
Zealand Relations

China-New Zealand all-round cooperative
relationship has become a good example of
peaceful co-existence and win-win cooperation
between countries with different social
systems,
cultural
backgrounds
and
development stages.

Politically, China and New Zealand have
frequent exchange of high level visits and
increasing political mutual trust.
Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang Visited New Zealand in 2009
Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping Visited New Zealand in 2010
Chinese Vice Premier Hui Liangyu Visited New Zealand in 2011
Chinese Chairman of CPPCC Jia Qinglin Visited New Zealand in 2012
New Zealand Prime Minister Visited China in 2009
New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister Bill English Visited China in 2011
New Zealand Foreign Minister Murray McCully Visited China in 2012

Economically, China-New Zealand economic
and trade cooperation has become the most
outstanding part of our bilateral relations.
China and New Zealand Governments Signed FTA
on April 7,2008 in Beijing, China

Last year, our bilateral trade exceeded 13.3
billion dollars. In 2011, New Zealand’s export
to China achieved a year-on-year increase of
22%, more than 1 billion in dollar terms. China
is now New Zealand’s second largest trading
partner and export market.
Fonterra Entered the Chinese Market

China and New Zealand have also achieved
fruitful results in cultural, education and
tourism areas.

China has become New Zealand’s biggest
source of international students and the fourth
largest and fastest growing market of
international tourists.

In New Zealand, one out of every four
international students is from China.

Last year, over 150,000 Chinese tourists
visited New Zealand while 120,000 New
Zealanders visited China.

The 3 Confucius Institutes and 8 Confucius
Classrooms in New Zealand make it easier for
New Zealanders, especially the young people,
to learn about Chinese language and culture.

This year, almost 400,000 New Zealanders,
that is 10% of the national population, took
part in the annual Chinese Spring Festival
celebrations in New Zealand.


The development of regional communication
and cooperation between our two countries is
also flourishing.
There are now 29 pairs of sister provinces or
cities between China and New Zealand.

China-New Zealand relations are solidly
founded on the good political, economic and
people-to-people relations. Looking ahead, we
are firmly confident that the prospect of ChinaNew Zealand relations will be even rosier and
brighter.
China’s Economic Development

In recent years, China has made great
achievements in economic and social
development. China now is the 2nd largest
economy in the world.

With over 30 years of fast economic
development, China has formed solid
foundation for further development.
Since 1978, China’s GDP has been growing by 9.8% annually. In
2011, China’s GDP reached almost 15 trillion US Dollars, taking
up 9.5% of the global volume. In 2011, China’s foreign exchange
reserve was over 3.7 trillion US Dollars.

China has huge domestic demand to promote
sustainable economic development.

Last year, China's urbanization rate for the first
time exceeded 50%. That means half of the
Chinese population still live in rural areas.
Each additional percentage point in this figure
means more than 10 million rural residents
becoming city dwellers. This will create
enormous demand for consumption and
investment.

China’s reform and opening up policy will add
vigor to its economic development.

China’s coming economic reform lies in the
transformation of economic development
pattern, readjusting economic structure and
improving the quality and efficiency of
economic development.

At present, China’s general tariffs level has
been reduced to 9.8%, far below the average
level of developing countries. In next 5 years,
China’s total import is expected to exceed 8
trillion US Dollars and its investment overseas
over 500 billion dollars, which promises huge
opportunities for other countries.

China is a country with 20% global population.
China insists on peaceful development and
improvement of its own people’s living
conditions. China cannot develop and progress
in isolation of the world, nor can the world
achieve prosperity and stability without China.

In recent years, China’s contribution to world
economic growth has exceeded 10%. In
tackling the international financial crisis,
China has contributed significantly to world
economic recovery.
New Zealand government formulated the China Strategy in 2012

Looking ahead, China will join with New
Zealand and other countries, to respond to
challenges
and
share
development
opportunities. We firmly believe that with our
joint efforts, the international financial crisis
will finally be overcome and global peace and
prosperity will be realized.
Thank you!