China Business Summit 2023

Reconnecting with a changing China

Monday 17 July, 2023, at Cordis Auckland

New Zealand businesses have set a goal to reconnect with China after the lengthy disruptions due to the Covid pandemic. Renewing and sustaining our trading and business links with our largest trading partner is important, but, so too, recognising and adapting to fast-moving changes in the Chinese commercial environment – including with consumer behaviour and within the retail environment.

On Monday, July 17, 2023 – NZ INC. and the Auckland Business Chamber present the China Business Summit – “Reconnecting with a changing China”.

The summit will present a unique business and political perspective on the landscape for New Zealand businesses in China and put forward strategies for navigating through a changed commercial environment against a background of sustained geo-political sensitivities. It is notable that New Zealand’s trade with China and Chinese investment here, bolstered the New Zealand economy through two periods of major disruption: the GFC and the Covid pandemic. China continues to present a significant opportunity for our key sectors; New Zealand exports to China have grown by 18 per cent in the last two years with the prospect for further growth in many of our key sectors.

Featuring

Prime Minister Chris Hipkins

Hon Damien O’Connor

Ambassador Wang Xiaolong

Carrie Hurihanganui

Fran O’Sullivan

We are delighted that Prime Minister Chris Hipkins will give the opening address at the Summit.

Prime Minister Hipkins, Trade and Export Growth Minister Damien O’Connor, Ambassador Wang Xiaolong and a strong array of insightful speakers will headline the conference.
Among the international speakers are Raymond Yeung, Chief Economist Greater China for ANZ, who will share his perspective on the resurgent Chinese economy, and Andrew Tan, former managing director of Temasek International, who will share his perspective on the changing realities for doing business with China.
The Summit will hear from leading NZ-based CEOs on their China strategies against a more complex environment where China is also developing its own champions.
We will also hear from New Zealand business leaders “on the ground” in China on how they are navigating through a complex environment with marked changes in consumer behaviour and in the retail environment in the wake of lockdowns with supply chains also subject to changes.
The integration of digital innovation and AI in the China business environment will be explored, providing valuable insights for New Zealand businesses seeking to navigate this emerging landscape.

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 engage in strategic conversions that will set the direction for New Zealand’s future with China.

AGENDA

Monday, 17 July 2023

6.30AM – REGISTRATION

7.05AM – WHAKATAU

Rēnata Blair, Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei

7.10AM – CALL TO ORDER

MC: Tim McCready

7.15AM – WELCOME

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

7.20AM – PRIME MINISTER KEYNOTE WITH Q&A

Rt Hon Chris Hipkins, Prime Minister of New Zealand

Prime Minister Chris Hipkins – fresh from leading a prime ministerial trade delegation to China – will speak to the evolving bilateral relationship with New Zealand’s largest trading partner.

The Prime Minister will share insights from the first Government-led mission to China since 2019 – which is including meetings with China’s political and business leaders. The Prime Minister-led visit is another critical step forward in New Zealand’s post-Covid recovery.

Moderator: Fran O’Sullivan, Summit co-chair

8.00AM – NAVIGATING A PATHWAY THROUGH THE REGIONAL TRADE LANDSCAPE

Hon Damien O’Connor, Minister for Trade and Export Growth
Senator the Hon Tim Ayres, Australian Assistant Minister for Trade

Trade Minister Damien O’Connor is well-placed to canvass how to ensure trade and vital supply chains endure in the face of protectionism, geopolitical and economic tensions. New Zealand’s leadership role in digital trade is of growing significance – including with China.

He will be joined by Hon Tim Ayres to explore how Trade Ministers are navigating competitive tensions between the two super-powers, and how they are addressing the changing dynamics of trade with China.

Moderator: Simon Bridges, Chief Executive, Auckland Business Chamber

8.40AM – KEYNOTE ADDRESS: CHINA GOING FORWARD: PERFORMANCE, POTENTIAL AND OUTLOOK

HE Wang Xiaolong, Ambassador to New Zealand

Ambassador Wang will be introduced by Simon Bridges, Summit co-chair

9.05AM – OPPOSITION VIEWPOINT

Hon Todd McClay, National’s trade spokesperson will be introduced by Simon Bridges, Summit co-chair

9.15AM – VIEW FROM THE TOP

Chief Executives have reconnected ‘in person’ with a changing China after the Covid years. This high level CEO panel will unpack the business environment for their companies and give their readout on where we are and what lies ahead.

Miles Hurrell, Chief Executive, Fonterra
Dan Mathieson, Chief Executive Officer, Zespri
Carrie Hurihanganui, Chief Executive Officer, Auckland Airport

Moderator: Fran O’Sullivan, Summit co-chair

10.00AM – CHINA ECONOMIC OUTLOOK: CYCLICALLY SLOW, STRUCTURALLY RESILIENT

Raymond Yeung, Chief Economist Greater China for ANZ

Moderator: Fran O’Sullivan, Summit co-chair

10.30AM – MORNING TEA

11.00AM – NAVIGATING UNCERTAINTIES, SEIZING OPPORTUNITIES AND FORGING NEW PARTNERSHIPS

Andrew Tan, Former Managing Director, Temasek International and ex-CEO Maritime & Port Authority of Singapore

Discussants

Simon Draper, Executive Director, Asia New Zealand Foundation
Natasha Hamilton-Hart, Professor Management and International Business, University of Auckland

Session chair: Chris Seed, Chief Executive, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade

11.45AM – THE CHINA DANCE

Sir Richard Taylor, Co-founder and Creative Director, Weta Workshop

While Sir Richard’s professional story is well-known, his remarkable story of building a strong relationship with China remains relatively untold. Over the course of two decades, he has established a respected presence in China, forging connections with local and central government, educational facilities, and the creative sector. He has fostered robust business relationships that have had an impact on both New Zealand and China.

Moderator: Tim McCready

12.30PM – LUNCH & NETWORKING

1.30PM – REBUILDING TOURISM AND EDUCATION LINKS: STRATEGIES AND SUCCESS STORIES

New Zealand’s thriving tourism and export education links with China were heavily impacted during the pandemic years, enduring significant challenges and setbacks. The reopening of borders has seen a remarkable revitalisation of these connections. The return of foreign tourists has been a prominent bright spot for New Zealand’s economy, and there has been a notable increase in study visa approvals, particularly for universities. This panel will share perspectives on the changed landscape, including new strategies adopted to rebuild business, and the inspiring wins and war stories that have emerged along the way, showcasing the resilience and adaptability of the sectors.

Lisa Li, Managing Director, China Travel Service
Grant Webster, Chief Executive, Tourism Holdings
Professor Dawn Freshwater, Vice-Chancellor, University of Auckland
Dr Wiremu Doherty, Chief Executive, Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi

Moderator: Tim McCready

2.10PM – VIEW FROM ON THE GROUND

10.10am Shanghai time

What’s changed for New Zealand business ‘in market’ as growth returns to the Chinese economy after the lengthy Covid interruptions. Key agribusiness sectors continue to grow and retain higher margins than elsewhere in Asia. The move to E-commerce has accelerated during the lockdowns and the big shift to online platforms and digital marketing is now locked in.

Panellists will share their own ‘wins’ and ‘war stories’ from competing in this fast-changing market and the strategies they have employed to stay ahead of the game.

This panel will be hosted by Andrew White, Regional Director for Greater China at New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE) based in Shanghai. He will be joined in Auckland by:

David Boyle, CEO, Primary Collaboration (NZ) Shanghai
Sally Gallagher, CEO and co-founder of Apollo Foods

From Shanghai

Claire Tan, Head of Marketing (China), Silver Fern Farms
Jamie Zhu, General Manager, ZIWI Petfood Greater China

3.00PM – MARKETING HEALTH, WELLNESS, NUTRITION & INNOVATION TO CHINA

This session will uncover the strategies, insights, and innovative approaches that have made Comvita and Fonterra leading names in the industry. Speakers will share the intricacies of navigating and innovating for Chinese market and effectively promoting health and wellness to the region.

Andy Chen, Regional CEO, APAC, Comvita
Justin Dai, Vice President Foodservice, Fonterra Greater China

3.30PM – AFTERNOON TEA

3.45PM – INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT

The panel will canvass the challenges faced by New Zealand infrastructure and the relevance of Chinese companies’ infrastructure experience. It will delve into the current state of infrastructure development in both countries, focusing on the need for next-generation infrastructure solutions and exploring the potential for Chinese companies to bid to supply NZ projects.

Frank Xu, President, NZ Chinese Building Industry Association
Li Xingyao, Deputy CEO, China Construction Bank (NZ)

Moderator: Brett O’Riley, Chief Executive, EMA

4.15PM – UNLEASHING THE POWER OF AI IN CHINA: GROWTH, INNOVATION, AND OPPORTUNITY

This captivating session delves into the dynamic landscape of AI in China and considers the transformative potential it offers. Over the past decade, China has made remarkable strides in establishing a robust AI economy and contributing significantly to global AI advancements. Renowned serial entrepreneur and AI expert, Yonggang Wang, will share his invaluable insights and experiences driving innovation at the forefront of cutting-edge AI.