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Far North strengthens links with China

Saturday 3 May 2008, 10:00PM

By Far North District Council

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Ambassadorial visit to Kaikohe last week
Ambassadorial visit to Kaikohe last week Credit: Far North District Council
Ambassadorial visit to Kaikohe last week
Ambassadorial visit to Kaikohe last week Credit: Far North District Council

NORTHLAND

Far North links with China are strengthening following Far North Mayor Wayne Brown’s trip to Beijing with the Government’s free trade agreement envoy last month.


Chinese Ambassador Zhang Yuanyuan and his wife Mrs Wang Xiaofang called on the Mayor and invited guests in Kaikohe last Friday (May 2) while holidaying in the district, and a delegation from China’s Liaoning Province is due to arrive in the Far North

on Sunday May 18.


Relationships will further develop when the Mayor accompanied by Far North business representatives leads a delegation to Shenyang, the capital of Liaoning province, at the invitation of Governor Chen Zhenggao in August.


The Far North has a sister relationship with Liaoning and Mayor Brown wants to showcase some of the district’s prominent businesses and businesspeople on both exchanges with the province.


The visiting delegation will see some Far North successes when it visits for several days in May. Businesses including Carrington Estate, Kerifresh, Imerys Tableware NZ, Marsden Estate, Kauri Cliffs, Juken NZ Ltd and Top Energy have responded to the Mayor’s invitation to be part of the two-day itinerary.


The delegation, led by Zhu Shaoyi, vice-chairman of the Liaoning People’s Congress, also comprises Yao Mingwei, Deputy Division Chief, Liaoning People’s Congress, Liu Liwei, Division Chief, Liaoning Foreign Affairs Office, Di Guoliang, Division Chief, Liaoning People’s Congress, Wen Jianguo, Chairman, Fuxin People’s Congress and Zhou Meiying, Vice Chairman, Tieling People’s Congress.


Mayor Brown wants to hear from Far North businesspeople who would like to join him on the August trip to Shenyang, which coincides with the Beijing Olympic Games. Shenyang is home venue for Group C of the Olympic football matches, which comprises New Zealand, Brazil, Belgium and China


A letter of invitation on behalf of Liaoning Province states: “it is a very good opportunity to visit Shenyang watching football matches, cheering for the New Zealand team as well as doing business”.


“All of these visits represent another great opportunity for the district to promote its business and investment opportunities and advantages,” Mayor Brown said. “These overtures from China are very welcome and we must maximise the exposure they offer the Far North. This will be my intention on each of the three occasions.”
 


Far North businesspeople with an interest in joining Mayor Brown on the August trip to Shenyang are invited to contact his office on 0800 920 029.