Asia:NZ’s Executive Director Dr Richard Grant took part in an NZIIA-led Track II visit to Japan and China in late July-early August 2008.

Participants on the New Zealand side were Mr Brian Lynch, Director of the NZIIA; Dr Jian Yang, Senior Lecturer in Political Studies at the University of Auckland and Dr Beth Greener-Barcham, Senior Lecturer in International Relations at Massey University. In Tokyo and then in Beijing, they were joined by the respective New Zealand Ambassadors, Ian Kennedy, and Tony Browne, as well as other embassy staff.

The Japanese participants included representatives of the Japan Institute of International Affairs, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan (MOFA) and several academics. The one-day Japan sessions were dedicated to the discussion of evolving East Asian architecture, the emerging role of China and implications for the Asian region as a whole. “Dr Jian Yang provided a very comprehensive overview of key political, economic and strategic aspects of China’s rise,” commented Dr Greener who presented her views on future possibilities for East Asian security architecture. Japanese participants presented their views on these issues, and also addressed the potential for a reformed ASEAN Regional Forum in the light of the new Charter.

In Beijing the New Zealand delegation met with representatives of the China Academy of Social Sciences, the Chinese Institute of International Studies and the Chinese People’s Institute of Foreign Affairs (CPIFA). Detailed discussions with CPIFA covered a wide range of topics, which included China’s involvement in the Asia-Pacific; China, Japan and US relationships; China’s role in the South Pacific; the rise of India and Russia, and Asian security with a focus on Northeast Asia as well as various regional forums.

A number of important contacts have been established on both sides: it is hoped the visits will foster greater future cooperation between the various participating institutions in China, Japan and New Zealand.


   Related links:

• Regional security in East Asia and Beyond – a paper to Asia:NZ by Dr Beth Greener
• China in the South Pacific: A Strategic Threat? – a paper to Asia:NZ by Dr Jian Yang