Chinese young leaders visit New Zealand
Asia:NZ is pleased to be hosting a group of five young leaders from China as part of the 2010 Sino-NZ Youth Exchange Programme. The programme is a reciprocal exchange, in partnership with the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), of which Ms Li Xiaolin, an Asia:NZ honorary adviser, is Vice President.
The programme aims for future Young Leaders of both countries to develop long-term relationships and maintain ongoing channels of communication. This exchange is a follow-up to October 2009 when, for the first time, five New Zealand young leaders were funded by Asia:NZ to attend the programme in China. The New Zealand participants were Bowen Pan, Kerryn-Ruth Botting, Jack Sheppard, James To and Tien Vu.
The reciprocal nature of the programme extends beyond international travel - this is also a great opportunity for Young Leaders based in New Zealand to network and exchange ideas with Chinese Young Leaders as they travel to destinations around the North Island.
The Chinese group is made up of Li Yixiao of China’s Social Security Fund, Yu Chunshan of the China National Water Resource Department, Zhuang Zuofeng of the State Forestry Administration, and Wang Lidan and Bai Meijie of Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries. The Chinese guests began their visit in Auckland last week where they attended briefings with Fonterra, Cosco and New Zealand Trade and Enterprise on business links with China.
At the Confucius Institute in Auckland the guests learned about Chinese language teaching in New Zealand. At the University of Auckland, they heard a talk on New Zealand-China relations and the history of Chinese in New Zealand by Dr Jian Yang and Asia:NZ trustee Dr Manying Ip. They visited Waitakere City Council where they learned about efforts to maintain an eco city. The Chinese group was accompanied by Auckland Young Leaders Alistair Kwun and Jordan Lee.
Cultural activities and visits to New Zealand businesses (Priority One/Export BOP and Comvita) were included in the programme for Thursday and Friday, which were spent in Tauranga and Rotorua. Young leaders Blair Paterson, Helen Cheng, Niels Yuan and Luke Rikiti accompanied the group in the Bay of Plenty. The group also went to Otumoetai College in Tauranga.
This week the programme continues in Wellington where the Chinese young leaders will be treated to a visit to the National Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa and will experience a real Kiwi BBQ. More formal events are also planned, including a meeting with HE the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China Zhang Limin, the Minister of Ethnic Affairs, Hon Pansy Wong, and the Minister of Education, Hon Anne Tolley.
