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Subject: New Zealand/China Mayoral Forum in China

Prepared by: Meng Foon (Mayor)

Meeting Date: 21 May 2015

Report to COUNCIL for decision

SUMMARY

I am seeking consent to attend the New Zealand/China Mayoral Forum in Xiamen China on

7 September 2015. As per policy all overseas visits are to be addressed to Council.

Last year I was invited to attend the inaugural New Zealand/China Mayoral Forum in

Auckland during the state visit of President Xi Jin Peng and Prime Minister John Key.

The objective of the forum was to strengthen relationships between local government in both

countries and foster economic opportunities.

Relationships are everything and I am asking for your support to travel to this international

forum.

I have informed the Activate Tairawhiti CEO and Chair of this visit as they may wish to attend.

Details of the forum have also been circulated to the Chamber of Commerce to invite their

members and any other business people.

No doubt the forum will be communicated via the Gisborne Herald and on the Gisborne

District Council Facebook Page.

RECOMMENDATIONS

That the Council

1. receives the report

2. consents and pays for the Mayor to attend this forum meeting in Xiamen, China.

Meng Foon

Mayor

Keywords: mayor, travel, china mayoral forum,

A563214 Page 2 of 2

APPENDICES

1. New Zealand China Mayoral Forum Agreement

2. Draft Agenda

3. Presentation

4. Trade Statistics

5. Sample Report

6. Delegate Information

Agenda for the 1st China-New Zealand Mayoral Forum

(updated by CPAFFC on April 24)

September 7, 2015 Xiamen City, CHINA

September 5th

New Zealand mayors’ delegations arrives in Xiamen

September 6th

Chinese mayors’ delegations arrives in Xiamen

18:00-19:30 Welcoming Banquet hosted by CPAFFC

(Mayors from both sides have chances to exchanges cards

with each other during the Banquet.)

September 7th

09:00-09:20 Chinese State leader meets mayors from both sides and

group photo afterwards

09:30-10:00 Opening Ceremony

Speakers: 1. State leaders (TBD)

2. Leader from CPAFFC

3. Leader from LGNZ

4. Representative of Chinese mayors (Xiamen)

5. Representative of New Zealand mayors

10:00-10:30 Tea break

10:30-12:00 Keynote Speech

1st Session:

Innovation and development of Sino-New Zealand

exchanges

Mayors speeches followed by free discussion

12:00-13:30 Buffet Lunch

14:00-15:30 Keynote Speech

2nd Session:

Sino-New Zealand exchanges in Tourism&Education

Mayors speeches followed by free discussion

15:30-16:00 Tea break

16:00-17:00 Keynote Speeach

3rd Session:

Sino-New Zealand exchanges in Primary Industry

Mayors speeches followed by free discussion

17:00-17:30 Closing Ceremony

Read the “2015 Xiamen Declaration”

Mayors from both sides sign on the “2015 Xiamen

Declaration”

Announce the city from New Zealand for for the 2nd

China-New Zealand Mayoral Forum (TBD)

18:00-19:30 Banquet hosted by Xiamen Municipal Government

September 8th

New Zealnd mayors’ delegations attend the Openning Ceremony of

CIFIT in the morning and have a city tour in Xiamen in the afternoon.

Chinese Mayor’s delegations leave from Xiamen

September 9th

New Zealnd mayors’ delegations leave from Xiamen

Layout of Meeting Session, 1st China-New Zealand Mayoral Forum

(Drafted)

Rostrum and Backdrop

New Zealand Host Chinese Host

Chinese Mayor1

Chinese Mayor 2

Chinese Mayor 3

Chinese Mayor 4

Chinese Mayor 5

Chinese Mayor 6

Chinese Mayor 7

Chinese Mayor 8

Chinese Mayor 9

Chinese Mayor 10

Chinese Mayor 11

New Zealand Mayor 1

New Zealand Mayor 2

New Zealand Mayor 3

New Zealand Mayor 4

New Zealand Mayor 5

New Zealand Mayor6

New Zealand Mayor 7

New Zealand Mayor 8

New Zealand Mayor 9

New Zealand Mayor 10

New Zealand Mayor 11

Seatin

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Dashboard: NZ-China Trade statistics

Trade in Services with China (YE Dec 2014)

Services Exports NZ$ (m) Services Imports NZ$ (m)

Total 1,830 Total 491

1. Tourism-related travel 955 1. Other commercial services 178

2. Education-related travel 532 2. Tourism-related travel 135

3. Transportation 120 3. Transportation 115

4. Other commercial services 119 4. Business travel 40

1 Source: Global Trade Atlas.

New Zealand-China Goods Trade (year ended December 2014)1

China Ranking NZ’s largest goods trading partner (2nd-largest YE March 2015);

2nd largest trading partner overall (goods + services)

NZ Exports 2014: NZ$9.99 billion (+0.25%, 20% of total NZ exports).

[YE March 2015: $8.6 billion]

Main exports Dairy ($4.6bn, -8%); Wood and paper ($2.0 bn, -8.5%); Meat

products ($1.0bn +20%), Seafood ($425m, +7.5%), Wool

($410m, +4%)

NZ Imports NZ$8.3 billion (CIF, +5.6%)

Main imports Electrical Machinery ($1.5bn); Machinery ($1.5bn); Clothing ($1.2

bn)

Total two-way

trade (2014)

$18.67 billion, below the $20 billion target set by leaders for 2015

(although the target was reached in the year ending May 2014 when

total two-way trade hit NZ$20.1 billion).

Trade in Services with China – other indicators (YE March 2015)

Education travel services International student numbers: 27,660 (+12%) [2014]

Visitor arrivals (China) 295,552 (+23%), of which tourists: 220,112 (+24%)

Visitor departures (China) 80,200 (+8.6%)

Foreign Direct Investment (as at Dec 2014)

FDI into NZ from

China (including

Hong Kong)

$5.38 billion

(China:$0.9b + HKG:

$4.5b)

[NB Sept 2014]

China is the 11th-largest source of FDI

stock in NZ. Hong Kong is the 4th-largest.

Over the last two years, China and Hong

Kong collectively accounted for 64.3% of

total FDI flows into NZ.

FDI into China from

NZ

$73 million 12th largest destination market for NZ FDI

stock.

SAMPLE REPORT – TEMPLATE ONLY

TO Mayor and Committee Members Council

DATE

FROM DATE SUBJECT NEW ZEALAND/CHINA MAYORAL FORUM 2015

___________________________________________________________________________________

Recommendation to Council

That participation in the NZ - China Mayoral Forum 2015 be approved; noting that this is a long-term commitment for building relationships with China Mayors.

Issue

Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) has signed an agreement with The Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC). This agreement establishes a mechanism of exchange and cooperation between mayors of New Zealand and China through a NZ-China Mayoral Forum to be held alternatively in China or New Zealand. The aim is to build a platform of peer-to-peer exchanges for mayors to discuss issues, strengthen cooperation and enhance friendship. Topics discussed at the Forum will include trade and investment opportunities such as education, tourism, and people to people exchanges.

The Forum was launched in November 2014 with the attendance of eight NZ Mayors. The inaugural Forum will be held in Xiamen City in September 2015 and provides an opportunity for the Mayor, along with up to 5 delegates, to attend the Forum. Insert name of council approach to international relationships is to be responsive where there is a sustainable economic advantage to the City/Region. This year’s Forum will focus on education, tourism and primary industries which are closely aligned to Insert name of council strengths in Insert relevant sectors.

City/region name has a sister city relationship with name of Chinese city, established number years ago. List other strategies that align to the themes of the Forum: EG International Education and Agri-business.

Participation in the Forum is a long term commitment to building relationships with China Mayors and also with its sister city, name of Chinese city/city’s. It will provide an opportunity to be part of New Zealand Inc and to form collaborative relationships with other councils who are part of the forum.

Attendance in the Forum can be accommodated within the List activity budget.

- 2 -

Background

Core Cities Project (To be adapted depending on involvement in the project)

The Core Cities Project is a national initiative that consists of Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin, Tauranga, Hamilton and Palmerston North Councils supported by Local Government New Zealand. The project recognises the international research that shows New Zealand’s city regions are increasingly seen as the drivers of economic growth and international competitiveness.

Currently New Zealand cities’ international relations activities are independent of other cities. The Core Cities project explored how there could be a greater return on investment by the cities if their efforts are co-ordinated and more strategic. The Mayoral Forum is an important mechanism for providing a more strategic and co-ordinated approach for Local Governments engagement with China.

NZ Inc Strategies

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) are leading the implementation of NZ Inc. Strategies. This is a unified government approach to setting priorities and coordinating operations related to New Zealand’s key economic partners. Two country specific strategies have been developed - China and India.

The NZ Inc China Strategy recognises the important role local government plays in building New Zealand’s relationship with China:

“Mayors of Chinese cities have significant political power and influence, so New Zealand mayors can play an important role in opening doors in China.”

The NZ Inc China Strategy identifies tourism, education and agri-technology as three priorities that correlate to insert city/region name priority economic sectors. It also recognises that there is strong potential for the growing Maori economy to engage more effectively with the Chinese economy.

Council’s approach

Explain council’s current approach to building International relationships Conclusion The Mayoral Forum provides a structured opportunity for Council to be involved in international relationships of economic benefit to the City/region. The topics of the Forum align to the City’s strengths and Council’s economic priorities. Participation in the Forum is a long term commitment to building relationships.

Author of report