Christchurch Roadshow of the 8th China International Import Expo (CIIE) Successfully Held
On June 9, 2025, the New Zealand Roadshow for the 8th China International Import Expo (CIIE) was successfully held at the Canterbury Club in Christchurch. The event was jointly organized by the China International Import Expo Bureau, the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai), and the Consulate-General of the People’s Republic of China in Christchurch. It was hosted by the China Chamber of Commerce in New Zealand (CCCNZ) and supported by the Christchurch Business Club, Canterbury Chamber of Commerce, New Zealand China Trade Association, and the Guangdong Business Association of New Zealand (South Island). Over 30 representatives from New Zealand’s political and business communities gathered to explore the vast potential of the Chinese market and the opportunities presented by participating in the Expo.
(Speech by Consul General He Ying)
In her speech, Consul General He Ying emphasized that the deepening economic and trade cooperation between China and New Zealand continues to inject strong momentum into bilateral relations. The CIIE is a window into China’s high-level opening-up. Many enterprises have gained growth and friendship through it. She looks forward to more New Zealand companies actively participating, expanding into the Chinese market, and achieving mutual benefit and win-win results.
(Opening Remarks by CCCNZ President Warren Hu)
Warren Hu, President of CCCNZ, welcomed the guests and highlighted that the CIIE has become an important platform for New Zealand companies to enter the Chinese market and expand their global influence. It allows New Zealand businesses to showcase their excellence on the world stage. Business leaders such as Qaiser Rashid (President of Christchurch Business Club), Daniel Thomson (International Business Advisor at the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce), Michelle MacWilliam (Director of the NZ China Trade Association), and Zhenping Huang (President of the Guangdong Business Association NZ – South Island) jointly encouraged companies to seize the opportunity presented by the CIIE and deepen industrial integration between the two countries.
Representatives at the event agreed that the CIIE is a “golden channel” under the upgraded China–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement. It opens the door to a 1.4 billion consumer market for New Zealand’s dairy, meat, seafood, and high value-added products, helping businesses increase their exports to China by 37% within three years (data source: New Zealand Trade and Enterprise).
(Presentation by CIIE Recruitment Manager Li Wenwen)
As the world’s first national-level expo dedicated to imports, the CIIE has served as a central platform for promoting an open global economy since its launch in 2018. The Expo has attracted over 200 New Zealand companies, with past transactions exceeding USD 1.8 billion. New Zealand dairy firms have signed with leading Chinese e-commerce platforms through the CIIE, boosting online sales by 60% annually. Seafood companies signed with 12 Chinese distributors, raising the share of exports to China to 35%. To address the resource constraints of overseas SMEs, the CIIE offers “National Pavilion Group” participation opportunities. In 2025, the New Zealand delegation will unify under the theme “Taste New Zealand” in the Food & Agricultural Products Pavilion, reducing individual exhibitor costs by at least 20%.
The roadshow featured detailed briefings on pavilion participation policies, financial and logistics support, and practical guides to exhibiting—offering end-to-end solutions for New Zealand companies entering the Chinese market. A 20-minute Q&A session allowed enterprise representatives to engage in-depth with organizers on key topics such as participation eligibility, cost optimization, and market access. The audience response was highly enthusiastic.
With the 8th CIIE opening in Shanghai this November, more New Zealand companies are expected to use this national-level platform to connect with China’s vast consumer base and further benefit from the upgraded China–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement. further benefit from the upgraded China–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement.
