China Business Summit 2024

NAVIGATING TODAY’S CHINA

Monday 20 May 2024, at Cordis Auckland

On Monday, May 20, 2024, NZINC. and the Auckland Business Chamber present the China Business Summit, the premier platform for exploring New Zealand-China economic, commercial and political relations.

Despite ongoing challenges, New Zealand’s trade with China remains strong. Two-way trade reached nearly NZ$38 billion in the year ending December 2023, and China accounted for nearly 22 per cent of New Zealand’s total goods and services exports last year. The Summit will delve into the drivers of this robust partnership, including China’s expanding middle class and its demand for high-quality goods and services.

In this rapidly evolving environment, ‘value capture’ has become a guiding principle for New Zealand businesses operating in China and is key to future success. The 10th China Business Summit will present insights on the complexities of geopolitics and consumer confidence that impact trade and commerce.

With a new government in place, this much-anticipated event will shape the future of New Zealand’s relationship with China. Attendees will gain invaluable strategies on how to succeed while navigating today’s China.

Featuring

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon

Ambassador Wang Xiaolong

Dr. Henry Huiyao Wang

Minister of Trade Todd McClay

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon will give the opening address at the Summit – his first to this audience since taking power last November.
Minister of Trade Todd McClay will give a readout on his own visit to China which takes place in April.
Ambassador Wang Xiaolong will speak to new opportunities in the bilateral relationship.
Founder and President of leading Chinese non-governmental think tank Centre for China and Globalization, Dr. Henry Wang, will delve into the intricacies of navigating international relations and trade dynamics, and share his view of China’s place in a globalised world.
The chair of the influential China Chamber of Commerce in New Zealand, Jun Qi, will share his members’ insights into the Changing Face of the Chinese Consumer.
David Downs, CEO of New Zealand Story, will present the latest brand research out of China, providing market context and insights into perception across sectors important for growing New Zealand’s export value.

The China Business Summit will be attended by New Zealand’s eminent business leaders and politicians, stakeholders from the New Zealand and Chinese business communities, commentators, officials and international experts.

It provides a great opportunity for delegates to network with senior business and political leaders and to engage in strategic conversions that will inform the direction for New Zealand’s future with China.

AGENDA

Monday, 20 May 2024

6.30AM REGISTRATION

7.05AM

MIHI WHAKATAU

Rēnata Blair, Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei

7.10AM

CALL TO ORDER

MC: Tim McCready

7.15AM

WELCOME TO THE 10TH CHINA BUSINESS SUMMIT

Summit Co-Chair: Fran O’Sullivan, Managing Director, NZ INC.

7.25AM

PRIME MINISTER’S OPENING ADDRESS WITH Q&A

Rt Hon Christopher Luxon, Prime Minister of New Zealand

Christopher Luxon will make his first address to the China Business Summit as New Zealand’s prime minister. In his earlier career as CEO of Air New Zealand, the prime minister was foremost among Kiwi business leaders to scope the potential of the Chinese market for New Zealand. Now he is in the Prime Minister’s seat.

Moderator: Fran O’Sullivan, Summit co-chair

8.05AM

NAVIGATING TODAY’S CHINA – A TRADE PERSPECTIVE

Hon Todd McClay, Minister for Trade and Agriculture

Todd McClay will share insights from his recent trip to Beijing, Harbin and Shanghai where he met with Chinese investors and New Zealand companies on the ground in China. What has he in store to develop bilateral trade during his time as Minister.

Moderator: Simon Bridges, Chief Executive, Auckland Business Chamber

8.40AM

KEYNOTE ADDRESS – HARNESSING THE POTENTIAL

HE Wang Xiaolong, Ambassador to New Zealand

Ambassador Wang Xiaolong will share his observations on the state and potential of China’s economy, envisage new opportunities in China- New Zealand practical cooperation, and elaborate on how we can promote our mutually beneficial and friendly relationship amidst the fast-evolving international and regional landscape.

Moderator: Simon Bridges, Chief Executive, Auckland Business Chamber

9.15AM

‘CHINA PLUS’ – DOUBLING NEW ZEALAND’S EXPORTS IN 10 YEARS

The Government has set a bold goal to double New Zealand’s exports by value within a decade. What are the implications for setting strategy in the nation’s boardrooms? How do major exporters grow with China and also expand their footprints into other fast-growing – but much smaller – markets? Is it time for a stronger ‘NZ Inc” presence offshore?

These questions and more will be explored in this conversation with the two co-leaders of Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s recent business mission to South- East Asia.

Miles Hurrell, Chief Executive, Fonterra
Dame Therese Walsh, Chair, Air New Zealand

The panel will be joined by Hon Todd McClay

Moderator: Fran O’Sullivan, Summit co-chair

9.50AM

THE CHANGING FACE OF THE CHINESE CONSUMER

The influential China Chamber of Commerce in New Zealand will present the findings of an indepth survey of its membership covering the gamut from the outlook for trade, investment and technology to reflections on what is necessary to make the bilateral business relationship hum. The presentation will be led by chamber chair Jun Qi.

Jun Qi, CEO, China Construction Bank
Carlos Li, GM, UnionPay New Zealand & Assistant GM, UnionPay South Pacific Region
Wing Wang, Senior China Marketing Manager, Good Health

Moderator: Tim McCready, Summit MC

10.30AM MORNING TEA

11.00AM

KEYNOTE: WHAT’S IN STORE FOR THE CHINESE ECONOMY?

Raymond Yeung, Chief Economist Greater China for ANZ

Moderator: Fran O’Sullivan, Summit co-chair

11.30AM

KEYNOTE: HOW CHINA IS NAVIGATING COMPLEX INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND THE IMPLICATIONS FOR NEW ZEALAND

Dr Henry Wang, Founder and President of leading Chinese non-governmental think tank the Centre for China and Globalization.

Discussants

Suzannah Jessep, CEO, Asia New Zealand Foundation
Phil Turner, Former New Zealand Ambassador to South Korea and former president China for Fonterra

Moderator: Simon Bridges, Summit co-chair

12.30PM

BUILD YOUR DREAMS: HOW BYD’s INCREDIBLE SUCCESS IS TRANSFORMING THE EV MARKET IN NEW ZEALAND

Warren Willmot will take you on the journey of BYD – the Chinese company that started as a small battery maker with humble beginnings, which is now the world’s largest battery electric vehicle maker. Warren will discuss battery technologies, new models, what the future holds for the car industry, and how the New Zealand fleet will look by the end of the decade.

Warren Willmot, BYD New Zealand Manager, Ateco Automotive NZ
Moderator: Tim McCready, Summit MC

12.50PM LUNCH & NETWORKING

1.50PM

WHAT IT TAKES TO WIN IN OUR LARGEST EXPORT MARKET

9.50AM Shanghai time

Hear from five Kiwi companies of different sizes and maturities from different sectors as they share how they see Today’s China and the lessons they have learned from navigating the current environment. Their ‘on the ground’ perceptions will provide a vital reality check and give fellow New Zealand exporters a taste of what it takes to win in our largest trading market.

Tessa Davis, Chief Operating Officer of Ora Innovation
Andy Chen, Deputy Group CEO, CEO of APEC region, Comvita
Mike Underhill, Chairman of LENZ (a coalition of lobster companies)

Joining from Shanghai and Guangzhou

Zoe Li, General Manager of MitoQ
Ping Hou, General Manager of Greater China, F&P Healthcare

This panel will be hosted by, Chris Metcalfe, New Zealand Trade Commissioner based in Beijing who will first set the scene from his own perceptions.

3.05PM

LES MILLS: BRINGING THE JOY OF MOVEMENT TO CITIES ALL OVER THE PLANET

The Les Mills Live 2024 fitness festival is happening next month, taking big energy, incredible workouts and new innovations to cities all over the world. Join Jason Bloom as he discusses Les Mills’ success in China and reveals what the festival has in store for Shanghai.

Jason Bloom, Chief Financial Officer, Les Mills International
Moderator: Tim McCready, Summit MC

3.25PM AFTERNOON TEA

3.40PM

TIME FOR CHINA HUB?

New Zealand is brilliantly positioned midway between China and Latin America. As Chinese tourism resurges, what is New Zealand doing to leverage the “Southern Link” as a stopover point for air travellers and freight carriers? How is New Zealand mining the lucrative Chinese business traveller market as the International Convention Centre prepares to in open Auckland in late 2025?

Lisa Li, CEO, China Travel Service
Les Morgan, Chief Operating Officer, Hind Management (Sudima Hotel brand in NZ)
Alistair Crozier, Executive Director, New Zealand China Council
Carrie Hurihanganui, Chief Executive, Auckland Airport
Moderator: Pam Ford, Director Economic Development, Tātaki Auckland Unlimited

4.25PM

HOW BRAND NZ CAN ASSIST THE GROWTH OF NEW ZEALAND’S EXPORT VALUE IN CHINA

David Downs, Chief Executive of New Zealand Story, will present the latest research out of China, providing market context and insights into how sectors that are important for New Zealand exports are perceived.

David Downs, CEO, New Zealand Story
Moderator: Tim McCready

4.45PM

REFLECTIONS FROM THE DAY

Summit Co-Chairs Fran O’Sullivan and Simon Bridges

4.50PM

SUMMIT SUMMARY & PRIZE DRAW

Prize draw courtesy of Air New Zealand

Prize draw courtesy Silver Fern Farms

Air New Zealand with Auckland Business Chamber’s Events Executive Katy Riddell

5.00PM SUMMIT ENDS

JOIN US

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Single Ticket	Table of Eight
$470+GST ($540.50)	$3600+GST ($4140)

China Business Summit 2024

Featuring

Speakers

Fran O’Sullivan

Simon Bridges

Rt Hon Christopher Luxon

Hon Todd McClay

Ambassador Wang Xiaolong

Dame Therese Walsh

Miles Hurrell

Jun Qi

Wing Wang

Carlos Li

Raymond Yeung

Dr. Henry Huiyao Wang

Suzannah Jessep

Philip Turner

Warren Willmot

Chris Metcalfe

Tessa Davis

Andy Chen

Mike Underhill

Zoe Li

Ping Hou

Pam Ford

Carrie Hurihanganui

Lisa Li

Les Morgan

Alistair Crozier

Jason Bloom

David Downs

Rēnata Blair

Katy Riddell

Tim McCready

AGENDA

6.30AM REGISTRATION

7.05AM

7.10AM

7.15AM

7.25AM

8.05AM

8.40AM

9.15AM

9.50AM

10.30AM MORNING TEA

11.00AM

11.30AM

12.30PM

12.50PM LUNCH & NETWORKING

1.50PM

3.05PM

3.25PM AFTERNOON TEA

3.40PM

4.25PM

4.45PM

4.50PM

5.00PM SUMMIT ENDS

JOIN US

Cordis, Auckland

Contact

Use the below form for any queries regarding the summit: