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Jim Thompson, the founder and chairman of NZCCHK corporate member Crown Worldwide Group, has been awarded the EY Entrepreneur of the Year™ 2024 award for Hong Kong/Macau.
This prestigious award acknowledges his lifelong contribution to building a globally competitive business within the region over nearly six decades.
Starting out with just US$1,000 in 1965, Jim has ridden the waves of accelerated globalization to build Crown, a privately owned, global logistics company committed to making it simpler to live, work, and do business anywhere in the world.
Crown has relocated millions of families and helps organizations maximize their corporate assets, from information to office furniture. With five international brands and local businesses like Crown Wine Cellars in Hong Kong, the company employs 3,000 people in 45 countries.
The EY Entrepreneur of the Year Awards celebrate entrepreneurs who demonstrate excellence in business. Jim’s accomplishment, which comes just weeks before the organization he set up and led celebrates its 60th anniversary, highlights his personal success but also underscores the impact of his entrepreneurial spirit on the Hong Kong and China region at large.
The award also recognized that his impact goes beyond business. He is heavily involved in several charities and serves on the boards of various organizations, particularly those devoted to children’s welfare, cancer research, education, and the arts. Jim has ensured that giving back to the local communities in which we operate makes up the fabric of Crown’s DNA and its values.
At the award ceremony held at the Marriott Hotel in Guangzhou, Jim received the Grand Winner title among the top 10 winners across multiple categories, including Health Sciences and Wellness, Technology, Services, and Energy and Resources.
Accepting the award, Jim said: “Entrepreneurs are the backbone of the global economy, and I am grateful to EY for recognizing our contributions globally. However, no entrepreneur is a one-man band, and I dedicate this award to my team. Crown’s success is owed to the incredible people in our company, not just in Hong Kong but all over the world.
“But having lived in Hong Kong for most of my life, I feel very much at home here. Crown’s success, and indeed my own, is in many ways, down to the opportunities and advantages of operating from Hong Kong, which has been our global headquarters for over 50 years. I believe we are now in the Asian century, and I’m excited to see the development of Hong Kong and Greater China and what the future holds.
“It is humbling to receive this award now, as we get ready to celebrate 60 wonderful years, and as the organization continues to diversify further and meet the needs of its customers. This, of course, requires an entrepreneurial spirit that I am proud exists right the way through our great company; a spirit that takes us into the next 60 years with great excitement and optimism.
EY International operators of the Global Enterprise of the Year is thrilled to announce that the Faull family of Swiss-Belhotel International (NZCCHK corporate member) and Faull Farms have been honoured with the prestigious EY Entrepreneur of the Year – 2024 New Zealand award in the Family Business category.
This esteemed recognition celebrates the vision, dedication, and entrepreneurial spirit that Swiss-Belhotel International and Faull Farms, an internationally recognised dairy operation, under the leadership of Chairman and President Gavin M. Faull, brings to the hospitality and agriculture industries.
The EY Entrepreneur of the Year programme celebrates entrepreneurs shaping the future with innovation, leadership, and dedication. Winning in the Family Business category highlights Swiss-Belhotel International and Faull Farms' remarkable expansion while remaining deeply rooted in its core family values. Gavin, together with his sons Matthew, Oliver, and Edward, drives Swiss-Belhotel International forward with culture of Swiss hospitality professionalism and Asian-inspired passion - Swiss-Belhotel International’s philosophy of Passion and Professionalism™ - delivering outstanding hospitality experiences and applies the same culture to Faull Farms - expanding globally through Fonterra - the largest single dairy company in the world.
Gavin Faull expressed gratitude and humility for the award, stating, “Being recognized as the Family Business winner at EY Entrepreneur of The Year is a tremendous honour. This award underscores the importance of family values in our business and the passion and professionalism™. We’re excited to continue expanding our legacy in the hospitality and agriculture industries, reaching new heights in the years to come.”
This is the third family business award won in the last year and earlier this year. The two others are Legacy Family Business Award New Zealand by Family Business Association 2023 and Legacy Family Business Award Asia Pacific by Family Business Excellence Awards 2024.
As the Faull family celebrates this milestone, Swiss-Belhotel International and Faull Farms remain committed to delivering exceptional hospitality experiences and advancing the industry through visionary leadership and global impact and truly sustainable systems and culture in hospitality and agriculture.
Award-winning global security manufacturer, Gallagher Security (NZCCHK corporate member), has recently announced a strategic partnership with Chubb China, signaling growth and expansion in the region.
The announcement came as part of the New Zealand-China Business Partnerships Ceremony in Guangzhou where Gallagher was joined by seven other New Zealand companies to signal new cooperation agreements between the companies and their Chinese counterparts.
The event was attended by New Zealand’s Minister for Trade, Todd McClay. The agreements involve new projects and product launches across multiple industries, further strengthening the economic and trade relationship between New Zealand and China.
This new collaboration with Chubb China aims to promote Gallagher’s solutions, including access control systems, perimeter security, intrusion detection, and cybersecurity solutions, bringing high-quality, integrated security to Chinese consumers.
General Manager for Asia, David Thean, says this partnership with Chubb is expected to deliver greater value to customers as Gallagher grows their presence in the region.
“Security trends in China are different compared to other North Asian countries,” Thean explains.
“Our partnership with Chubb is an opportunity to be more strategic in how we position Gallagher’s solutions and collaborate with the local market. Chubb has a strong on-the-ground knowledge of customers’ needs, and by combing that with Gallagher’s exceptional solutions and our customer-centric philosophy, I believe we can turn potential into real benefits for businesses in the region.”
As Thean explains, the new Channel Partner Agreement with Chubb also deepens ties between businesses across the two countries: “We’re very proud to have been part of the New Zealand-China Business Partnerships Ceremony and strengthen our economic relationship. Our team has maintained a strong partnership with Chubb in our New Zealand headquarters, and I’m excited to grow together in China moving forward.”
In partnership with Chinese platform RED, Tourism New Zealand has launched new activity to drive 2025 autumn and winter arrivals from China to support its year-round and off-peak strategy.
RED (Xiaohongshu 小红书) is a Chinese social media and e-commerce platform that attracts over 300 million active users a month.
“Growing visitation from China will be integral to achieving our year-round and off-peak growth targets(opens in new window). The market is still in recovery so it’s important destination New Zealand remains top of mind for Chinese travelers,” says Angela Blair, Tourism New Zealand’s GM International.
In the latest International Visitor Survey (Sept 2024), New Zealand’s breathtaking landscapes and scenery were the biggest motivator for nearly 80% of holiday visitors from China.
Tourism New Zealand’s latest consumer research showed that as well as being drawn to landscapes, visitors from China want to relax and unwind and feel a sense of escape and joy in New Zealand.
The new activity positions New Zealand as a great place to relax, enjoy nature and capture life’s best moments, through content creators on RED, media engagement and paid advertising.
There are 62 million people in China considering a visit to New Zealand. New Zealand’s autumn and winter seasons present the biggest off-peak opportunity to convert arrivals from China, with 42% of potential visitors saying they would consider a visit in autumn and 32% in winter.
Visitors from China are also interested in exploring a broad range of regions within New Zealand.
The IVS data showed that nearly a quarter of Chinese visitors explored four or more regions, with one-third of holiday visitors showing an even higher tendency to visit four or more places.
This activity builds on insights gathered during previous campaigns that showed there is about 120 days between visitors from China ‘dreaming’ about their next destination to arrival. Typically, Chinese travellers plan and book a trip to New Zealand around 50 days before they travel.
An information desk staff member displays the Beijing Pass card, a multi-purpose card designed to enhance convenience for international visitors by simplifying payments for transportation, tourist sites and shopping centers, at a service center in Beijing Capital International Airport in Beijing, capital of China.
Eligible citizens from 54 countries can enter China visa-free when transiting to a third country or region. Driven by the travel policy, many international tourists flocked to the country to experience its blend of centuries-old traditions and cutting-edge technology. An enhanced payment environment, bilingual signage and other supports have made travel in China more convenient for foreign visitors.
Chinese research icebreaker Xuelong 2, or Snow Dragon 2, departed from Lyttelton in Christchurch, recently to carry out a month-long marine ecosystem survey in the Amundsen Sea.
The survey will include a comprehensive investigation and monitoring of biological ecology, water, sedimentary and atmospheric environment, and pollutant distribution, according to Luo Guangfu, captain of the oceanic team of China's 41st Antarctic expedition.
Xuelong 2 docked at the Lyttelton Port (image above) to make a midway supply of fruits, vegetables and fuel, as well as to pick up 38 members of the oceanic research team before heading to the Amundsen Sea.
Lyttelton Port is one of the most important replenishment stations for China's Antarctic research, and Christchurch, where the port is located, has been internationally recognized as one of the gateway cities to Antarctica, Chinese Consul General in Christchurch He Ying said on Saturday.
"We will take advantage of the best time in the Southern Hemisphere throughout February in the Amundsen Sea to carry out marine ecosystem survey operations," Luo said, adding the research will cover physical oceanography, marine chemistry, biology and geology.
New Zealand-based information technology solutions provider, OptimaTech, has opened its regional office in Hong Kong, leveraging the city's strategic location as the base to expand in the region.
InvestHK's Associate Director-General of Investment Promotion Mr Charles Ng congratulated OptimaTech on the opening of its regional office in Hong Kong. He said, "Hong Kong, as a premier business hub in Asia, has rigorous protection of intellectual property and tech-savvy consumers. It provides an excellent base for technology solution businesses to flourish. In fact, many of the world's leading software services companies base their regional operations in the city to mirror their client's preferences." Hong Kong is the perfect sandbox where innovative companies can adopt and test tailor-made solutions before their product launch in the local and global markets, he added.
The Business Development Director of OptimaTech, Mr Jeremy Cheng, said, "We saw Hong Kong as a strategic location for expanding our business thanks to its dynamic business environment, world-class infrastructure, and status as an international financial and technology hub. As a gateway to the Asia-Pacific region, the city offers unparalleled access to markets in Mainland China and Southeast Asia, which aligns perfectly with our growth strategy."
He added, "Hong Kong's strong legal framework, availability of skilled professionals, and extensive network of multinational businesses and local enterprises add further appeal to establish our presence here. We will use the Hong Kong office to drive the development of innovative solutions that protect sensitive information and support businesses in navigating an increasingly digital and interconnected world."
Founded in New Zealand in 2023, OptimaTech specialises in advanced data security solutions, collaboration applications, and managed IT services. By setting up its regional office in Hong Kong, it aims to contribute to the region's growth as a global technology hub while delivering secure, reliable, and efficient services to local and international clients.
For more information about OptimaTech, see www.optimatech.com.hk.
The New Zealand Government has unveiled a bold new initiative to position New Zealand as a premier destination for foreign direct investment (FDI) that will create higher paying jobs and grow the economy.
“Invest New Zealand will streamline the investment process and provide tailored support to foreign investors, to increase capital investment across critical infrastructure, fostering greater innovation in key sectors and attracting world-class talent to our shores,” Mr McClay says.
The new agency, modelled on Irish and Singaporean best practice, will focus on:
Attracting FDI into high-potential sectors to boost productivity and innovation.
Streamlining processes to significantly increase the capital available to invest in new and existing projects and enterprises including, banking and Fintec, critical infrastructure, including roading and energy projects, manufacturing and private sector growth.
Increasing research and development (R&D) investment in New Zealand by multinational companies.
Encouraging skilled professionals to enhance domestic capabilities and global connections.
Invest New Zealand will incubate within New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE) and then transition to a new Autonomous Crown Entity, which operates with a clear mandate to attract international capital, infrastructure investment, ideas, and expertise.
Meanwhile, NZTE will be refocused with a single mandate to support Kiwi businesses to export more and grow international markets.
Both agencies will retain all NZTE staff to help achieve the Government’s ambitious goal of doubling exports by value in ten years.
“This initiative will help unlock tens of billions of dollars in global investment opportunities, significantly increase the capital available to support key roading and energy infrastructure and make New Zealand a more attractive and predictable destination for investors.
“With Invest New Zealand leading the charge, we’re rolling out the welcome mat to the world. Streamlining processes and supporting investors as they navigate our legal and commercial landscape,” Mr McClay says.
New Zealand's Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Judith Collins has announced the largest reset of the New Zealand science system in more than 30 years with reforms which will boost the economy and benefit the sector.
“The reforms will maximise the value of the NZ$1.2 billion in government funding that goes into the science sector each year, creating a more dynamic science, innovation and technology system that can respond to priorities and keep pace with technological advances,” Ms Collins says.
“Getting the system settings right is the best way to boost long-term economic performance and ensure our scientists can pursue meaningful careers in New Zealand.”
The reforms will:
“The four new PROs will be designed to maximise the long-term NZ Inc benefits. They will be adaptable and responsive to government priorities, accountable through appropriate cost recovery, and set up to be well-coordinated and to avoid unnecessary duplication. The PROs will also look for partnerships with private sector investors in research capability, facilities and knowledge production.
“The PROs will play a role in stewardship of public good science, which the Government recognises the benefit of,” Ms Collins says.
“Callaghan Innovation will be disestablished and its most important functions moved to other entities. Callaghan has simply been spread too thinly across too many functions, leading to poor financial performance and an over-reliance on Crown funding.
“The new Prime Minister’s Science Innovation and Technology Advisory Council is charged with setting national priorities for the system, including across the four PROs.
“A key role of the Council will be to make sure the taxpayer funding that goes to the sector is spent in the best way possible to grow the economy, because innovation and technology are the future.
“Invest New Zealand will be the Government’s one-stop-shop for foreign direct investment, excluding public infrastructure, and will be an Autonomous Crown Entity.
“It will be focussed on attracting greater investment into truly innovative activities in existing sectors and those with high potential to raise productivity and drive economic growth, as well as greater research and development investment and innovative activity in New Zealand by multi-national companies.
“Invest NZ will also be tasked with attracting more skilled professionals to New Zealand, to help foster innovation, raise domestic capabilities and improve international connections.
“The Government wants to reward and incentivise people in the industry and will therefore develop a national policy for managing Intellectual Property (IP) for science, innovation and technology-funded research.
“This will be based on the model used by Canada’s Waterloo University, which vests ownership of IP with the researchers who create it.
“We will also be considering how this policy will apply to the new PROs, with the intention being that researchers receive a share of the financial rewards from commercialising intellectual property.
“This work, along with our move to overturn what has effectively been a 30-year ban on gene technology, will unlock enormous opportunities for our science sector and New Zealanders,” Ms Collins says.
“The changes we have announced are extensive but they will ensure a science system that generates maximum value for the economy and, therefore, for New Zealanders.”
Beijing has recently launched an English map to enhance travel services for foreign nationals in the city. The map is now available for a one-month trial run on the Beijing Platform for Common Geospatial Information Services.
The Beijing English Map includes both digital and printed versions. The digital map covers categories such as administrative divisions, natural features, transportation, government institutions, international organizations, education and culture, healthcare, sports and leisure, residential areas, and commercial facilities, with over 30,000 annotations in total.
The digital map also includes six additional thematic sections with over 4,000 annotations, such as bank card services and SIM card services, offering convenient information for foreigners visiting, working and living in Beijing.
The printed map notably marks historical landmarks like the Beijing Central Axis.
During the trial run, feedback will be collected to improve and enrich the map's content.
The New Zealand government recently announced a bold new initiative aimed at positioning the country as a premier destination for foreign direct investment (FDI). This move, spearheaded by the newly established agency Invest New Zealand, is designed to streamline the investment process and provide tailored support to foreign investors. The goal is to boost productivity, innovation, and economic growth by attracting high-quality investments into key sectors.
Invest New Zealand will initially operate within the New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE) development agency before transitioning to its own Autonomous Crown Entity. This new agency will focus on attracting FDI into high-potential sectors such as banking, financial technology, critical infrastructure, and manufacturing. By doing so, it aims to significantly increase the capital available for new and existing projects, fostering greater innovation and creating higher-paying jobs.
One of the key motivations behind this policy is New Zealand's current position as the most restrictive OECD country in terms of FDI policy. The government has committed to reforming the Overseas Investment Act to remedy this, with the establishment of Invest New Zealand being a crucial part of this strategy. The agency will offer a "one-stop-shop" experience for foreign investors, helping them navigate the legal and commercial landscape of New Zealand.
The Prime Minister, Rt Hon Christopher Luxon, emphasized that this initiative is about more than just attracting investment—it's about unlocking global opportunities and making New Zealand a more attractive and predictable destination for investors. The government's ambitious goal is to double exports by value in ten years, and Invest New Zealand is expected to play a pivotal role in achieving this target.
While the announcement has been met with optimism, it also raises questions about the potential risks and challenges associated with increased foreign investment. Critics argue that while FDI can bring economic benefits, it can also lead to issues such as loss of local control over key industries and potential environmental impacts. It will be crucial for the government to strike a balance between attracting foreign capital and ensuring that investments align with New Zealand's long-term economic and social goals.
In conclusion, the New Zealand government's new policy on foreign direct investment represents a significant step towards enhancing the country's economic landscape. By creating a more welcoming environment for foreign investors, New Zealand aims to boost innovation, create jobs, and drive economic growth. However, careful consideration and strategic planning will be essential to ensure that these investments benefit the country as a whole.
This article authored by: Microsoft Copilot
New Zealand's Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden has announced the opening of an online portal for the public to submit to the Royal Commission of Inquiry into COVID-19 Lessons Learned.
“The portal is an easy way for members of the public to have their say to the Inquiry about how the response to the COVID-19 pandemic affected them, their families, and their businesses. The terms or reference covered by Phase 2 of the Inquiry includes the use of vaccines, lockdowns, testing, and public health materials,” says Ms van Velden.
Last year the Government announced that there would be a second phase of the Inquiry into COVID-19 covering outstanding matters of public concern. Both the ACT-National and New Zealand First-National coalition agreements include commitments to expand the Inquiry into COVID-19. Phase 2 of the Inquiry began on 29 November and will deliver the final report in February 2026.
Any member of the public can submit to the Inquiry using the portal at www.covid19inquiry.nz. Submissions close at midnight on 27 April 2025.
“I would strongly encourage New Zealanders to have their say by making a submission to the Inquiry. I look forward to seeing the final report delivered to me in February 2026.”
The full terms of reference for Phase 2 of the Inquiry is available here:
https://www.legislation.govt.nz/regulation/public/2022/0323/latest/LMS792965.html
The Phase 1 report is publicly available at the Royal Commission’s website:
A large-scale stress test has been held at the Main Stadium of Kai Tak Sports Park (KTSP), with 50,000 spectators attending the Hong Kong Premier League U22 football match between Kitchee and North District. The exercise was conducted to assess the operational readiness of the Main Stadium and its surrounding facilities for sports events with maximum attendance, with a view to ensuring full preparedness for the official commissioning of the Sports Park.
The drill was co-ordinated by the Exercise Team of the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF) and covered five major testing and evaluation areas, namely security screening and ticket checks; venue signage and designated seating arrangements; inter-agency co-ordination in response to emergencies; various crowd management measures; and passenger flow management by public transport operators.
During the exercise, the Fire Services Department (FSD) simulated two fire incidents of varying scales, aiming to test the communication and response capabilities of Fire Services personnel in co-ordination with the Police, venue security and other emergency response teams. The Police also simulated an emergency incident involving public safety and security to test the response of all stakeholders.
The stress test was scheduled for a weekday evening, with a slight overlap between the entry time and rush hour after work. Meanwhile, the exercise concluded at a later time, with most participants choosing to leave the park immediately afterwards, thereby increasing the pressure on the transport system. In addition, the Police again implemented new crowd management measures, such as using large display panels along the exit routes to MTR stations to convey crowd management information (including the latest public transport arrangements and estimated waiting times), playing music and deploying police officers to provide real-time information on the spot to help participants leave safely and orderly.
With the close collaboration of all parties, the exercise proceeded smoothly, achieving the anticipated results and testing objectives. The public transport system and surrounding facilities were able to divert the large passenger flows within a short period of time, allowing participants to enter and leave the venue in an orderly manner.
The retractable roof of the Main Stadium was opened for the first time during the stress test, aligning the testing time and mode more closely to the actual conditions of sports events, and the volume of noise during the test was found to be within the acceptable sound level.
A total of 50,000 civil servants, government employees and members of community groups simulated crowd flows during the test. A number of bureaux, departments and organisations, including the HKPF, the FSD, the Transport Department, the Civil Aid Service, the Auxiliary Medical Service, the MTR Corporation Limited and the KTSP Limited, also sent their staff to participate in the exercise.
In future test events and stress tests co-ordinated by the Exercise Team, the “Red Team” concept will continue to be applied to identify vulnerable areas, working in concert with relevant bureaux, departments and organisations to continuously review and enhance various aspects, with a view to ensuring the smooth and orderly operation of the KTSP upon its official commissioning.
The Government is modernising visa settings to incentivise migrants to invest in New Zealand.
“Foreign investment has the potential to provide jobs for Kiwis, lift incomes by delivering new businesses and investing in existing ones. We should be rolling out the welcome mat and encouraging investor migrants to choose New Zealand as a destination for their capital,” Economic Growth Minister Nicola Willis says.
“Unfortunately, changes made to the Active Investor Plus (AIP) visa category by the previous government had the effect of discouraging potential investors from seeking New Zealand residence. Since 2022, migrants entering New Zealand under the AIP category have invested just $70 million. By contrast, in the two years prior to COVID-19 migrants invested $2.2 billion.
“Rather than turning potential investors away, this Government is intent on welcoming people who want to contribute to New Zealand. We are already making it easier for digital nomads to work remotely while visiting here and have established Invest New Zealand to promote investment into this country,” Ms Willis says.
“Capital is highly mobile and in an increasing complex world, people are looking for a safe and stable country to do business. We are now making our investor visa simpler and more flexible to incentivise investors to choose New Zealand as a destination not just for their capital, skills and international connections, but to build a life for themselves and their family here,” Immigration Minister Erica Stanford says.
From 1 April the current complex weighting system for the AIP will be replaced with two simplified investment categories:
The Growth category will focus on higher-risk investments, including direct investments in New Zealand businesses. It will require a minimum investment of $5 million for a minimum period of three years.
The Balanced category will focus on mixed investments, with the ability to choose ones that are lower risk. There will be a minimum investment of $10 million over five years.
Other changes include expanding the scope of acceptable investments and removing potential barriers to investment, such as the English language requirement.
“Incentivising, simplifying and broadening the investment offerings will make New Zealand more attractive and accessible to more foreign high-value investors. These changes will turbocharge our economic growth, bringing brighter days ahead for all Kiwis,” Ms Stanford says.
Note: The above news articles are provided for information only. Professional advice should be obtained prior to acting on any of the information contained within the articles. The articles are sourced from news and press releases in the public domain. The views expressed in each or any of the articles and/or associated podcasts do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the New Zealand Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong nor its members.
About 100 of the world’s high-profile investors, business leaders, and construction companies are expected to visit New Zealand in March for a global investment summit, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop have announced.
“The Government is relentlessly focused on accelerating the growth New Zealand needs to lift our incomes, strengthen our businesses, and create opportunities for all Kiwis,” Mr Luxon says.
“That means we need to stop saying ‘no’ to growth opportunities like foreign investment and start saying ‘yes’.
“To make it clear we are open for business, the Government will host an international investment summit in March, highlighting partnership opportunities for overseas investment across our economy that will boost growth.
“I will open the summit and many Cabinet Ministers will be at the event to share the Government’s ambitions and plans over the two days.
“We’re using every tool in the box to kick our economy into high gear. We recently announced the creation of Invest NZ, a new agency to attract investment here, Fast-Track has started cutting through the red tape holding back important projects, and just yesterday we announced visa changes to attract international investors who are as excited about New Zealand’s bold growth agenda as we are.
“This is one of many announcements the Government will be making over the coming weeks and months as part of our ambitious Going for Growth plan.”
Mr Bishop says greater foreign investment and more partnerships with Government will help address our massive infrastructure gap.
“The investment summit will bring together around 100 leaders from global investment and construction companies, among others, to showcase our infrastructure vision and highlight upcoming investment and development opportunities.
“As well as showcasing upcoming infrastructure opportunities for partnership and investment, the summit will highlight changes to policy, regulation, and legislation that make it easier to do business here, along with other investment opportunities in a range of growth sectors and the Māori economy.
“Attendees will be left in no doubt that New Zealand is a country worth investing in.”
The Infrastructure Investment Summit is one of many growth initiatives in the Government’s first Quarterly Action Plan for 2025, Mr Luxon says.
“The plan has a strong focus on boosting growth through initiatives such as upgrading visa settings, delivering smarter regulation for our agriculture sector, and reshaping our planning rules so that people can get stuff done in this country.
“We have hit the ground running with many of the priorities in our Q1 plan already ticked off, including allowing digital nomads into New Zealand and laying the groundwork for AI to improve public services.”
Christchurch Airport has taken another significant step in its commitment to operational excellence and sustainability, taking possession of New Zealand’s first electric fire truck.
The Rosenbauer RT (Revolutionary Technology) is also the first electric fire truck at any airport in the Southern Hemisphere, reinforcing the airport’s leadership in sustainable airport practices.
The arrival of the new vehicle is part of the airport’s broader fleet transition programme. With the corporate fleet already 100% electric, the airport is now transitioning its emergency response vehicles as part of its commitment to a zero-emission fleet by 2035.
Justin Watson, Christchurch Airport’s Chief Executive, says: “Safety is at the heart of everything we do, and this new truck ensures our emergency response teams have cutting-edge equipment to keep the airport community safe. At the same time, this is another step towards our zero-emissions goal. Innovation and responsibility go hand in hand. By investing in world-class emergency response technology, we’re ensuring our airport remains at the forefront of both safety and environmental leadership.”
The RT fire truck will serve as the airport’s primary first-response vehicle, replacing the existing diesel truck that handles most emergency call outs across the airport campus. While the RT is a 100% EV it has a small back up range extender generator that can top up the batteries in exceptional circumstances, ensuring continuous operations even in prolonged emergency situations.
The RT’s arrival has been met with excitement from Christchurch Airport’s fire crew, who have been undertaking training under the guidance of Rosenbauer specialists. One of the firefighters involved in the training, Senior Firefighter Trevor Casey, shared his thoughts on operating the new RT.
“Getting behind the wheel of this truck has been an amazing experience. It’s incredibly smooth, responsive, and packed with smart features that help us do our jobs better. The training has been excellent, it’s going to take our response times and capability to the next level".
The Director-General of the Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises (OASES), Mr Peter Yan (left centre), has visited Auckland to promote Hong Kong's latest developments and new opportunities in the innovation and technology (I&T) industry. These include sectors of artificial intelligence and data science, life and health technology, advanced manufacturing and new energy technology, and financial technology, with the aim of attracting potential strategic enterprises to establish their presence in Hong Kong.
Upon arrival in Auckland, Mr Yan met with various senior representatives of local I&T enterprises to gain insights into the latest local technological developments and trends, and exchange views on potential collaboration opportunities between Hong Kong and Auckland. Mr Yan also shared OASES’s unique role and support functions with the business leaders, and discussed with them their intentions and plans for setting up or expanding in Hong Kong.
During the meetings, Mr Yan said, "Hong Kong is the world's freest economy, the third-largest international financial centre, and the seventh-most digitally competitive city globally. Additionally, Hong Kong is the only Asian city with five universities in the world's top 100, and features world-class research institutions, top-notch professional services and a highly skilled talent pool. On top of these unique advantages, Hong Kong also embraces the role of connecting both Mainland China and overseas countries, serving as a 'super connector' and 'super value-adder', making it the most convenient and efficient gateway for New Zealand enterprises to enter Mainland China."
Mr Yan and an OASES representative met with I&T enterprises in Auckland. They will also visit industry chambers, I&T investment and financial institutions, and professional services organisations to discuss opportunities for financial and investment exchanges as well as I&T collaborations between Hong Kong and the two cities to foster interaction between talent and industries within the I&T sector.
Through these meetings, Mr Yan aims to reinforce OASES's connections with Auckland, and encourage more strategic enterprises to establish a presence in Hong Kong.
China has issued an action plan to stabilize foreign investment in 2025, which was approved by a recent State Council executive meeting.
Foreign investment is a key aspect of promoting high-standard opening-up, and plays a significant role in fostering new quality productive forces and advancing Chinese modernisation, according to the action plan, which was formulated to ensure stable foreign investment in 2025.
China will support pilot regions in effectively implementing opening-up policies related to such areas as value-added telecommunication, biotechnology and wholly foreign-owned hospitals, providing whole-journey services for foreign-invested projects in these sectors. The country will continue expanding its pilot programs to open up fields such as telecommunication and medical services in a timely manner.
According to the plan, China will seize the initiative by opening its education and cultural sectors further, publish implementation plans, and push those plans forward. China will lift restrictions on domestic loans for foreign-invested enterprises, allowing these firms to use domestic financing for equity investments, according to the plan.
It highlights key sectors to attract foreign investment. According to the plan, foreign businesses are encouraged to invest in animal husbandry-related fields such as breeding, feeding equipment production and production of feed and veterinary medicine, and enjoy national treatment.
It also supports foreign enterprises to participate in China's new industrialization, with a focus on high-tech fields. Foreign investment is also welcomed in services sectors such as elderly care, culture and tourism, sports, health care, vocational education, and finance.
It calls for clarifying standards for the government procurement of domestic products, and for measures to ensure products produced by enterprises of different ownership within China participate equally in government procurement activities.
In 2024, 59,080 new foreign-invested enterprises were established in China, up 9.9 percent year on year. China attracted an annual overseas investment of over CNY1 trillion (about US$139.5 billion) for three consecutive years from 2021 to 2023.
Zespri has released its final forecast for the 2024/25 season with strong demand and its largest-ever crop putting the kiwifruit marketer on track to exceed its longstanding target of NZ$4.5 billion (equiv. HK$19.3 billion) in global revenue.
Forecast per tray returns have strengthened from the last forecast in November for all fruit categories other than Green, which remains in line with November’s forecast.
At a per hectare level, returns for Green and Organic Green have reached record levels off the back of this season’s improved yields and the strong value secured for fruit throughout the season. SunGold per-hectare returns have also increased from November, while forecast RubyRed Kiwifruit returns remain steady on both a per tray and per hectare basis.
CEO Jason Te Brake says strong demand has allowed Zespri to sell a record crop of more than 190 million trays at strong value for growers.
“It’s been a very positive season. With our crop volume significantly up on the previous year, the industry’s efforts to deliver good quality fruit have supported strong sales in our key markets.
“The strong value we’ve secured on a big crop means we’ll exceed the target set in 2015 of reaching NZ$4.5 billion in global revenue by 2025. This is a tremendous effort from the industry and reflects our commitment to building brand-led demand, delivering outstanding quality kiwifruit to our markets and innovating to create value for growers.
“There’s a strong sense of confidence within the industry, with the successful industry discussion on expanding ZGS at the end of 2024 showcasing our ability to make strategic decisions together, and it’s great to see growers positive and the industry moving forward so strongly.
“With a positive outlook and strong demand for our fruit, we’re looking forward to the 2025 harvest which commenced today, as we look to build on the strong momentum the industry has.
“Growing conditions have been largely positive for most growers, with a total crop of more than 200 million trays and our focus will be starting the season strongly with a good supply of high quality fruit so we can again maximise early season sales opportunities and continue to return strong value to our growers.”
New Zealand's Associate Finance Minister David Seymour has announced the Government’s plan to reform the Overseas Investment Act and make it easier for New Zealand businesses to receive new investment, grow and pay higher wages.
“New Zealand is one of the hardest countries in the developed world for overseas people to invest in businesses, and our productivity growth is woeful. Those two facts are closely linked.
“We are introducing reforms to improve New Zealand’s overseas investment laws. The package will speed up decisions and provide more confidence to investors, while protecting our national interests.
“Overseas investment can support economic growth because when workers work with better tools and technologies, they are more productive and get paid more.
“I’ve seen the difference that overseas investment can make. I once visited two businesses in the same industry on the same afternoon. Both had skilled and passionate people with good ideas. One had overseas investment, though, and benefited in two ways. They had more money for machinery, and they had more know-how for manufacturing and marketing their product by receiving knowledge from their partners offshore
“New Zealand’s productivity growth has closely tracked the amount of capital workers have had to work with. Our capital-to-labour ratio has seen very little growth in the last 10 years, averaging approximately 0.7 per cent annually. That’s compared to growth of around 2 percent a year in the previous 10 to 15 years. Unsurprisingly, productivity growth averaged 1.4 percent a year between 1993 and 2013, but only 0.2 percent between 2013 and 2023.
“The Government has agreed on a reform package which includes:
“High-value investments, such as significant business assets, existing forestry and non-farmland, account for around NZ$14 billion of gross investment each year. Cabinet has agreed to remove the barriers for these investments, while retaining existing protections for residential land, farmland and fishing quota.
“Nearly every other developed country has less obstructive laws than New Zealand. They benefit from the flow of money and the ideas that come with overseas investment. If we are going to raise wages, we can’t afford to ignore the simple fact that our competitors gain money and know-how from outside their borders.”
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government has announced that the Second Agreement Concerning Amendment to the Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA) Agreement on Trade in Services (Amendment Agreement II) signed between the Ministry of Commerce and the HKSAR Government under the framework of CEPA was implemented on 1 March 2025.
The Amendment Agreement II further opens up the services market of the Mainland to Hong Kong, enabling Hong Kong businesses and professionals to enter the Mainland market with more preferential treatments. The Amendment Agreement II introduces new liberalisation measures across a number of service sectors where Hong Kong enjoys competitive advantages, such as financial services, construction and related engineering services, testing and certification, telecommunications, motion pictures, television and tourism services. The liberalisation measures take various forms, including removing or relaxing restrictions on equity shareholding and business scope in the establishment of enterprises; relaxing qualification requirements for Hong Kong professionals providing services; and easing restrictions on Hong Kong's exports of services to the Mainland market. Most of the liberalisation measures apply to the whole Mainland, while some of them are designated for pilot implementation in the nine Pearl River Delta municipalities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.
The Amendment Agreement II also brings along institutional innovation and collaboration enhancements. It includes the addition of "allowing Hong Kong-invested enterprises to adopt Hong Kong law" and "allowing Hong Kong-invested enterprises to choose for arbitration to be seated in Hong Kong" as facilitation measures for Hong Kong investors; and removal of the period requirement on Hong Kong service suppliers to engage in substantive business operations in Hong Kong for three years in most service sectors.
Since the signing of the Amendment Agreement II, the HKSAR Government has been proactively liaising with various chambers ofcommerce, industries and advisory bodies, etc. to enhance the trade's understanding of the liberalisation measures. In addition, in the middle of this month, the HKSAR Government co-organised with the Ministry of Commerce a forum to introduce the content and implementation arrangements of the measures as well as the criteria and procedures for application for preferential treatments to over 350 participants, including representatives from local and foreign chambers of commerce, consulates, major trade associations and professional sectors. The HKSAR Government will continue to assist the trade in making good use of the preferential measures of the Amendment Agreement II to facilitate Hong Kong in fully capitalising on the city's distinctive advantages of enjoying strong support of the motherland and maintaining close connection to the world under the "one country, two systems" principle, and to contribute to the national development of new quality productive forces and solid progress in promoting high-quality development.
The Mainland and Hong Kong signed the Agreement on Trade in Services (the Services Agreement) under the framework of CEPA in November 2015, basically achieving liberalisation of trade in services between the two places. Subsequently, the two sides signed anagreement to amend the Services Agreement in November 2019 and the relevant liberalisation measures have been implemented since June 2020. To further enhance liberalisation and facilitate trade in services in response to the aspirations of the Hong Kong business community for greater participation in the development of the Mainland market, the two sides signed the Amendment Agreement II on October 9, 2024, to make further amendments to the Services Agreement.
Global investors, worth a combined NZ$6 trillion, at the Infrastructure Investment Summit in Auckland were today (14 March 2025) told New Zealand will be saying yes to investment, by Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay.
The Government showcased investment opportunities across sectors that included renewable energy, advanced transportation including space, cleantech, aquaculture, and minerals and resources.
“New Zealand is an ambitious, innovative nation. We are globally connected, rich with opportunity, and open for business. If you’re looking for a place to invest, build, or grow, New Zealand is the place to be,” Mr McClay says.
“The sectors showcased today provide investors with a clear picture of the diverse opportunities available and this is just the beginning. There are many more areas where New Zealand has a strong competitive advantage, including tourism, wood processing, and of course high-quality, safe food and beverage,” Mr McClay says.
“To accelerate growth, and create better paying jobs for Kiwis, we welcome investors who bring capital, global expertise, networks, and the ability scale faster and compete globally.”
The Government is making it easier to secure foreign direct investment by:
The world has responded positively to this shift in ambition with Australian company Plenary -- a global infrastructure investor, announcing at the Summit its commitment to bidding on at least five New Zealand public-private partnership (PPP) projects over the next five years and its plan to establish an office in New Zealand within the next 18 months.
There has been significant interest from the UAE and Malaysian funds in energy, forestry, space and construction.
“I have today announced that Invest New Zealand will be operational by 1 July this year. Invest New Zealand is the government’s one-stop-shop, problem solver for investors, proactively identifying high-impact opportunities, cutting through red tape, and connecting investors to drive Kiwi growth.
“Our message to investors is simple: if it’s good for New Zealand and good for New Zealanders, we are ready to back you. New Zealand is open for business, and we will be saying yes to investment.”
Regulation Minister and Associate Finance Minister David Seymour has set out the Government’s work making it easier to do business by improving our regulatory settings in a speech to the New Zealand Infrastructure Investment Summit.
“This Government is committed to getting regulation right. Good regulatory settings attract more investment and achieve higher productivity and wages for New Zealanders,” Mr Seymour says.
“We must be better regulators, provide more certainty, and less red tape. That’s why we set up the Ministry for Regulation with the task of making sure that the Government’s number one regulatory consideration is the impact on regulated parties. In November last year we launched a new Red Tape Tipline to hear from regulated parties so that we could help them get on and do their jobs.
“Better regulation is better for all investors, both inside and outside New Zealand. The Government is also making it easier, quicker, and more transparent for foreign investors to invest in New Zealand businesses.
“When businesses can invest in better machinery and tools, workers are more productive. And when productivity increases, wages rise. Overseas investment also means businesses have access to valuable knowledge, expertise, and global networks that help them market their products more effectively.”
The Government has decided on the next steps to establish Invest New Zealand (Invest NZ) including its scope and mandate to drive a significant increase in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) to New Zealand, Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay announced today (12 March 2025).
“Cabinet has directed Invest NZ to provide the certainty international investors need and accelerate international investment into New Zealand to turbo charge growth, and create jobs,” Mr McClay says.
“To deliver economic growth through high-value investment, Invest NZ will be mandated to leverage New Zealand’s competitive advantage, and attract investment to boost businesses and industry.
“Invest NZ will be a one stop shop and a problem solver. If it’s good for New Zealand, and good for New Zealander’s, we will be saying yes to investment.”
Core responsibilities include:
“To deliver these outcomes for the business community, Invest NZ will require a strong performance and renumeration system that recognises achievement,” Mr McClay says.
“We will look to attract the best and brightest from New Zealand and around the world, borrowing the skills, experience, and contacts from the private sector.
“We will shortly commence the process to recruit a highly skilled investment specialist with international experience as the Chief Executive, and are working toward the establishment of an executive board.
“By attracting global companies we can grow the economy, provide more opportunities and create more jobs,” Mr McClay says.
The Government is proposing changes to tax rules which will contribute to encouraging investment in New Zealand, Revenue Minister Simon Watts says.
“We want New Zealand to be a country that attracts and welcomes the sort of talented people who will help grow our economy.
“When we attract Kiwis home or bring in new, smart talent we grow the economy and that means jobs, more opportunities and higher wages for everyone,” Mr Watts says.
“The current foreign investment fund (FIF) rules are a key deterrent for migrants and returning Kiwis, especially in the tech or start-up sector from coming to and staying in New Zealand.”
Proposed changes to the FIF rules involve the addition of a new method to calculate a person’s taxable FIF income, the ‘revenue account method’.
“This will allow new migrants to be taxed on a realisation basis for their FIF interests that are not easily disposable and acquired before they came to New Zealand. For migrants who risk being double taxed due to their continuing citizenship tax obligations, this method can apply to all their FIF interests.
Mr Watts says the change has been positively received by people in the tech and start up sector.
“I have heard from Graeme Muller, the Chief Executive of industry peak body, NZTech that the fast-growing tech sector continues to cry out for experienced high-skilled talent to support global expansion. He says these improvements in tax rules are exactly what we need to make New Zealand more attractive for both investors and global talents.
“I have also heard from Robbie Paul, the CEO of Icehouse Ventures, that this is a stand-up example of Government engaging on a genuine issue so we can all create a brighter future for New Zealand. He suggests foreign investment fund rules have been a deterrent for many of the world’s leading entrepreneurs and investors, including offshore Kiwis. These individuals play an important role in maximising the technology sector’s creation of export revenue and high paying jobs,” Mr Watts says.
The changes would apply to migrants who became New Zealand tax residents on or after 1 April 2024.
“We want to act swiftly to remove barriers for highly-skilled migrants to stay in New Zealand and invest in the growth of our economy, so the proposals will be included in the next taxation Bill, likely to be introduced around August.
“This is an important step and one which the private sector has been calling for, but we need to consider whether more can be done. We are looking more closely at the FIF rules and related international tax settings not only to encourage migration to New Zealand, but also to encourage our own residents to stay and invest in New Zealand.
“The Government will also be looking at how the rules impact New Zealand residents and will have more to say later in 2025,” Mr Watts says.
Chinese research icebreaker Xuelong 2, or Snow Dragon 2, opened its decks to the public recently at Lyttelton Harbour in Christchurch, New Zealand, attracting around 600 visitors, including local officials and members of the public.
Currently on China's 41st Antarctic expedition, the Xuelong 2 is making its second stop in Christchurch on this voyage.
As part of the visit, Chinese and New Zealand Antarctic researchers held an academic seminar aboard the vessel, discussing polar marine biology, chemistry and geology.
During its port call, the Xuelong 2 conducted personnel rotations and resupplied before continuing its mission in the Ross Sea for an oceanic survey.
The Government’s new planning legislation to replace the Resource Management Act will make it easier to get things done while protecting the environment, say Minister Responsible for RMA Reform Chris Bishop and Under-Secretary Simon Court.
“The RMA is broken and everyone knows it. It makes it too hard to build the infrastructure and houses New Zealand desperately needs, too hard to use our abundant natural resources, and hasn’t resulted in better management of our natural environment,” Mr Bishop says.
“Replacing the RMA with new legislation premised on property rights is critical to the government’s mission of growing the economy and lifting living standards for New Zealanders.
“In our first year in office we repealed Labour’s botched RMA reforms and made a series of quick and targeted amendments to provide relief to our primary sector, such as repealing the permitted and restricted discretionary intensive winter grazing regulations. We also passed the Fast-track Approvals Act to make it much easier to deliver projects with regional or nationally significant benefits.
“Cabinet has now agreed on the shape of the Government’s replacement legislation, signalling a radical transition to a far more liberal planning system with less red tape, premised on the enjoyment of property rights.
“Turning our economy around requires changing the culture of ‘no’ that permeates decision making in New Zealand. Whether it’s aquaculture off the coast of the South Island or a new green building replacing a heritage gravel pit next to a train station in the centre of our biggest city, the RMA has obstructed growth instead of enabling it.
“That’s all about to change. Enough is enough.
“Last year, the Government set ten principles for the new RMA system and tasked an Expert Advisory Group to work at pace to test and further refine these principles and develop a blueprint for reform. The EAG delivered their blueprint earlier this year.
“Cabinet has agreed that the EAG Blueprint delivers a workable basis for a new planning system and has made in-principle decisions on a range of new features for the system, drawing upon the EAG Blueprint.
“Economic analysis undertaken on the Blueprint’s proposals show that they are estimated to deliver a 45% improvement in administrative and compliance costs when compared to the current system. Similar analysis done on the last Government’s RMA replacement estimated that it would deliver only a 7% reduction in process costs."
Key features of the new system include:
• Two Acts: A Planning Act focused on regulating the use, development and enjoyment of land, along with a Natural Environment Act focused on the use, protection and enhancement of the natural environment.
• A narrowed approach to effects management: The new system will be based on the economic concept of “externalities”. Effects that are borne solely by the party undertaking the activity will not be controlled by the new system (for example, interior building layouts or exterior aspects of buildings that have no impact on neighbouring properties such as the size and configuration of apartments, the provision of balconies, and the configuration of outdoor open spaces for a private dwelling). Matters such as effects on trade competition will be excluded.
• Property Rights: Both Acts will include starting presumptions that a land use is enabled, unless there is a significant enough impact on either the ability of others to use their own land or on the natural environment. This will reduce the scope of effects being regulated and enable more activities to take place as of right. There will be clear protection for lawfully established existing use rights, including the potential for the reasonable expansion of existing activities over time where the site is ‘zoned or owned’. There will be a requirement for regulatory justification reports if departing from approaches to regulation standardised at the national level. Compensation may happen for regulatory takings in some circumstances. There will be an expansion in the range of permitted activities.
• Simplified National Direction: One set of national policy direction under each Act will simplify, streamline, and direct local government plans and decision-making in the system. Direction under the Natural Environment Act will cover freshwater, indigenous biodiversity and coastal policy. Direction under the new Planning Act will cover urban development, infrastructure (including renewable energy) and natural hazards.
• Environmental limits: A clearer legislative basis for setting environmental limits for our natural environment will provide more certainty around where development can and should be enabled, whilst protecting the environment.
• Greater use of standardisation: Nationally set standards, including standardised land use zones, will provide significant system benefits and efficiencies. The new legislation will provide for greater standardisation, while still maintaining local decision making over the things that matter.
• Spatial Plans: Each region will be required to have a spatial plan, focused on identifying sufficient future urban development areas, development areas that are being prioritised for public investment and existing and planned infrastructure corridors and strategic sites.
• Streamlining of council plans: A combined plan will include a spatial planning chapter, an environment chapter and planning chapters (one per territorial authority district).
• Strengthening environmental compliance monitoring and enforcement: To safeguard the environment, a national compliance regulator with a regional presence will be established – taking over a function currently done poorly by regional councils.
“Common sense ideas like standardised zoning will be a key feature of the new system. Right now, every individual council determines the technical rules of each of their zones. Across the country there are 1,175 different kinds of zones. In Japan, which utilises standardised zoning, they have only 13”, Mr Bishop says.
“Standardising these zoning rules will take pressure off ratepayers and make it easier to build more homes for Kiwis. It will also enhance local decision making, allowing elected local representatives to focus more time on deciding where development should and should not occur in their community, and less time on the enormous amount of technical detail that goes into regulating that development.”
The Phase Three RMA replacement is a key commitment in the National Party’s election manifesto, and its coalition agreement with the ACT Party.
“The RMA is akin to a gale force headwind battering against any attempts to develop anything anywhere,” Mr Court says.
“Our population has grown while our infrastructure has crumbled. If we want to retain our status as a first-world nation, we need to build.
“We need to develop homes, schools, hospitals, and roads. We need to develop ports, windfarms, gas fields and farms. Without good infrastructure and easier access to resources, how can we achieve the quality of life New Zealanders expect of a developed nation in the 21st century?
“The RMA’s scope is far too broad and allows far too many people to rely on far too many reasons to object and tangle progress in webs of absurd conditions.
“We must rationalise the system to ensure a tight scope where only those affected get a say, and at the right time. We cannot have Tom, Dick, and Harry weaponise the planning system to block progress from the opposite end of the country.
“We believe that the best way to stop unnecessary red tape is attach a price to it. The new system will protect landowners against regulatory takings, enabling them to seek recourse if found that unjustified restrictions have been placed on their land.”
“There’s a lot of work still to do, but this Government is committed to delivering these reforms to unlock the economic growth we need to improve the lives of all New Zealanders.” Mr Bishop says.
“We intend to begin work immediately on working through the policy detail, introducing two new Acts into the House before the end of this year.”
Chinese and New Zealand scientists have successfully concluded a groundbreaking collaborative dive expedition to the Puysegur Trench [southwest of Stewart Island], supported by the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Global Trench Exploration and Diving program (Global TREnD).
"For the first time in history, humans have reached the deepest point of the Puysegur Trench," said Du Mengran, chief scientist of the joint research expedition, during the Concluding Open Day in Wellington last Friday.
The expedition unveiled numerous novel phenomena and yielded an extensive collection of valuable biological samples, many of which represent new depth records or are suspected new species, Du said. Additionally, various rock samples were collected, providing critical materials for studying subduction processes and geological mechanisms.
Over the past three months, the joint China-New Zealand expedition was conducted by the CAS Institute of Deep-Sea Science and Engineering (IDSSE), in collaboration with New Zealand's National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA).
The mission marked the first international scientific dive exploration of the Puysegur Trench and the second collaborative deep-sea expedition between China and New Zealand.
The expedition involved 68 scientists from eight countries, including New Zealand, Malaysia, Denmark, Germany, France, Brazil, India, and China.
Liu Weidong, director general of the Bureau of International Cooperation, CAS, said this collaborative spirit embodies the essence of scientific exploration, transcending borders to explore the unknown world for mankind.
Leveraging the cutting-edge full-water-depth manned submersible Fendouzhe (Striver) and the Tansuo series of research vessels, the team conducted the first manned dive exploration in the Puysegur Trench, located in the notoriously treacherous "Roaring Forties" region.
Despite extreme sea conditions, the team successfully completed 32 dive missions, setting a new Chinese record of 75 hours across five dives. Du highlighted that this mission was jointly designed by Chinese and New Zealand scientists and executed by a multinational team, with nine dive missions completed by foreign scientists.
Samples and data collected during the expedition were shared among participating scientists, fostering international collaboration.
Rob Murdoch, NIWA's deputy chief executive, emphasized that the China-New Zealand partnership provided New Zealand scientists with unique access to deep-sea exploration resources. The ability to gather deep-sea samples and data that would otherwise be unattainable is invaluable, he said, praising the achievement of completing so many dives under the harsh conditions of the Southern Ocean.
Among the discoveries were new species of invertebrates and fish, significantly expanding scientists' understanding of New Zealand's marine biodiversity. The expedition also uncovered rare whale fall-deep-sea organisms that thrive exclusively on the remains of deceased whales.
Murdoch expressed enthusiasm for continued collaboration in the coming years, focusing on sample processing, data analysis, and publishing the expedition's final findings.
This joint mission follows the first manned deep-sea scientific voyage by Chinese and New Zealand scientists in late 2022. That expedition, aboard the research vessel Tansuo-1 and utilizing the Fendouzhe submersible, explored the Scholl Deep, the deepest point of the Kermadec Trench, located north of New Zealand, approximately 10,000 meters below sea level.
Chinese Ambassador to New Zealand Wang Xiaolong said the deep sea has always been a challenging frontier for human exploration. However, with technological advancements, manned submersibles such as Fendouzhe have turned deep-sea research from fantasy into reality.
This expedition to the Puysegur Trench will undoubtedly advance human exploration of the deep ocean and contribute to the development of global marine research, Wang said.
Hadal trenches, defined as deep-sea regions exceeding 6,000 meters in depth, are characterized by extreme conditions, including immense hydrostatic pressure, perpetual darkness, low temperatures, and significant tectonic activity. These unique environments foster complex chemosynthetic ecosystems and harbor unknown life forms, making them a frontier for groundbreaking discoveries in both Earth and life sciences, according to the IDSSE.
China and New Zealand have held the first round of negotiations on a services trade negative list under their free trade agreement (FTA).
The talks, held in Beijing from 25-26 March 2025, made positive progress and focused on establishing the principles, scope and framework for the negative list negotiations, China's Ministry of Commerce said in a statement.
The ministry added that the two countries will implement important consensus reached by their leaders while actively advancing the negotiation process to elevate bilateral trade and investment cooperation.
The FTA was signed in April 2008 and came into effect in October of the same year. In January 2021, the two sides signed an upgraded protocol to the FTA, further deepening practical cooperation across various sectors.
RCEP emerges as anchor of free trade amid rising protectionism
Meantime, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) has emerged as an important anchor for global free trade, injecting momentum into the world economy amid rising protectionism and geopolitical uncertainties, according to sources from the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) conference.
The RCEP has become a major driving force and institutional pathway for economic globalization, further opening up the regional market and advancing regional liberalization, said Kuang Xianming, deputy head of the China Institute for Reform and Development.
Three years after its implementation, the trade pact has delivered initial benefits, with the total trade value within the region expanding 3 percent year on year in 2024, a significant figure given the headwinds facing global trade, Kuang said.
Under the agreement, the RCEP region has become the most dynamic hub for cross-border capital flows, according to Kuang. In 2023, the RCEP region attracted 35 percent of global foreign direct investment and contributed 30 percent of global outbound investment, he added.
RCEP, the world's largest free trade deal to date, covers 10 member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and its five free trade agreement partners, namely China, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Australia, and New Zealand.
As a major achievement of Asian economic integration, it has injected vitality into the member economies, bringing certainty into the uncertain global economy and trade landscape, according to a report released at the BFA.
The trade pact has integrated the free trade agreement arrangements within the region, optimized the configuration of economic resources, and demonstrated the determination of Asian economies to promote open cooperation, the report said.
