In order to deepen trade cooperation with RCEP member countries, encourage Chinese enterprises to explore international markets, and enhance the image of Chinese brands, the 2024 New Zealand-China Products Expo (hereinafter referred to as the Expo) was successfully held in Auckland from September 19-22. The Expo is jointly hosted by Trade Development Bureau of the Ministry of Commerce, China Chamber of International Commerce, and China Council for the Promotion of International Trade Guangdong Committee.

The governments of China and New Zealand attached great importance to the Expo, and the scale and organizational work of the Expo have been upgraded and improved. More than 200 Chinese and foreign guests, including Wang Xiaolong, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China to New Zealand, the Cook Islands and Niue, Chen Shijie, Consul General of the Consulate-General of the People's Republic of China in Auckland, He Ying, Consul General of the Consulate-General of the People's Republic of China in Christchurch, Paul Goldsmith, Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage, Minister of Justice, Minister for Media and Communications, Minister for State Owned Enterprises, Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations, New Zealand, Todd McClay, Minister for Agriculture, Minister for Forestry, Minister for Hunting and Fishing, Minister for Trade, Associate Minister of Foreign Affairs, Wayne Brown, Mayor of Auckland, Qiu Zhaoxian, Vice President of China Council for the Promotion of International Trade Guangdong Committee, and representatives from China Chamber of Commerce in New Zealand, Auckland Business Chamber, New Zealand China Trade Association, Employers and Manufacturers Association, Canton Chamber of Commerce in New Zealand, attended the Expo to discuss trade cooperation between China and New Zealand.

The venue of the Expo is Auckland Showgrounds, with an exhibition area of about 5000 square meters, attracting hundreds of enterprises and institutions to participate, covering multiple fields such as manufacturing, home products, agriculture, food and beverage, new energy, tourism, logistics, and finance. Exhibitors include enterprises from provinces such as Hunan, Shaanxi, Guangdong, Fujian, Yunnan, Hebei, Zhejiang, and Heilongjiang, as well as local Chinese funded enterprises, agents, and local enterprises from New Zealand.

The exhibits were diverse, which met consumer demands. Local buyers showed strong interest in numerous exhibits and stopped to inquire and negotiate cooperation matters. The dry goods of Hunan Mayang Blue Phoenix Agricultural Development Co., Ltd. was quite popular on site, and they also signed supply contracts with local distributors. Foshan Nanhai SANEAGLE Bicycle Co., Ltd. provided a new option for green travel in New Zealand and has received widespread attention. At the booth of Shaanxi Zhentai Industrial, buyers have been continuously inquiring about mobile prefabricated houses. 

In addition to products trade, the Expo also expanded the field of service trade. Industrial and Commercial Bank of China and China Construction Bank offered professional financial services, providing strong support for enterprise trade cooperation. COSCO Shipping Lines Ltd. and CHINZ Logistics Ltd. provided transportation and overseas warehouse services to optimize supply chain operations. China Cultural Centre in Auckland brought over 200 cultural and creative products and set up a trial area for the popular IP "Black Myth Wukong", attracting many New Zealanders to participate and interact.

The activities of the Expo were wonderful, promoting pragmatic trade cooperation between China and New Zealand. Focusing on key and emerging areas of China and New Zealand trade cooperation, various supporting activities such as trade resource matching meeting, Hunan (New Zealand) product promotion meeting, and China (Xi'an)-New Zealand business symposiums were held.  At each activity, Chinese enterprises actively introduced the development trends, business environment, and investment opportunities, and warmly welcomed New Zealand enterprises to seek business opportunities and invest in the Chinese market. The supporting activities provide necessary assistance for Chinese enterprises to expand their international markets, while also sharing development opportunities with New Zealand enterprises.

The exhibitors have gained a lot and the influence of the Expo continues to expand. With the active efforts and promotion of all parties, the Expo attracted numerous buyers and professional visitors to attend. The number of Expo visitors exceeded 12000, and more than 1900 local professional buyers registered in New Zealand. The actual transaction amount was about 4 million RMB, and the intended purchase and cooperation amount reached 80 million RMB. According to the survey, 60% of enterprises signed cooperation agreements, and 30% signed procurement agreements. The exhibitors showcased their products and technologies at the Expo, expanded their market channels, met new buyers, and achieved beyond expected exhibition results.

       With the joint efforts of both sides, the New Zealand-China Products Expo has become a new business card of bilateral trade cooperation, which will constantly promote new progress in China and New Zealand mutually beneficial and friendly cooperative relations.