In this talk, Maty welcomes H.E. Ambassador Wang Xialong of China, Hon Nathan Guy (Chair, Meat Industry Association), and Terry Copeland (CEO, Federated Farmers) for a frank discussion on trade, the China-NZ relationship, China’s foreign policy, and a rapidly changing world. Protectionism vs. free trade, exceptionalism & the so-called rules-based order, the danger of blocs and alliances, opportunities for New Zealand, all these topics and more were discussed in this engrossing discussion in front of 150+ guests in Wellington on Wed 27 Nov, 2024. After prepared remarks, the speakers took questions from the floor. We were delighted to learn that H.E. the ambassador met Terence O’Brien in his early diplomatic career in New York.
00:00 Maty: Welcome, Jazz & Bridge Building
02:53 Ambassador: China's Foreign Policy in a World of Profound Change
10:46 Meeting Change with Four No Changes
19:21 Exceptionalism and the Rules-Based Order
20:58 China-US Relationship
24:42 China-NZ Relationship
30:00 Questions for the Ambassador
41:17 Hon Nathan Guy: New Zealand's Agricultural Sector and Trade Relations
43:03 Mr Terry Copeland: Challenges and Opportunities in the Red Meat Sector
56:63 Panel Q&A with Speakers
(the session was rated 4.42/5 from 12 survey responses)
Link to the ambassador’s speech
Some quotes:
As a young junior officer [in New York], I just arrived, and I benefited a lot from the wisdom of Ambassador O'Brien at the time. (reference to former NZ diplomat Terence O’Brien)
We are witnessing a surge of protectionism
[but..] Globalisation, for all its warts, is not dead.
No historical grievances or conflicts of fundamental interests between China and New Zealand. The two countries, therefore, should see each other as an opportunity and a partner, rather than a challenge or a threat.
Mentions as of Thu 28 Nov (NZST):
Chinese envoy reminds NZ of ‘negative consequences’ if it joins AUKUS (China Global Times, circulation of c.2m)
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