test.wp.newzealandinc.com/ Informed. Influential. Indispensable.
Fran O’Sullivan sits down with Shanghai Pengxin Chief Executive, Jiang Lei as he speaks about the ongoing Crafar Farms saga as well as his company’s future investment plans in New Zealand.
Jiang Lei chief executive of Shanghai Pengxin says: “This year is the 40th year of the China and New Zealand relationship and the fourth year of the FTA.
“Looking forward, New Zealand and China have common interests and depend on each other. In my view there is a huge [level of] cooperation between us.
“Bilateral investments are very good for business. China got to where it is now in 30 years by opening its doors to foreign investors.
“Without overseas investments into China it would not have been able to grow.”
Lei says the New Zealand government should make an effort to make foreign investments easy.
“The government, in conjunction with the companies should create a group to make a healthy investment environment,” he says.
“We sincerely hope New Zealand people can open the door to foreign investors. There is no doubt that New Zealand needs foreign investment, but New Zealand needs to be more open and transparent and treat foreign investors fairly and equally.
“Progress is the activity of today and the assurance of tomorrow.
“For entrepreneurs we need the courage to move forward and the spirit of innovation – sometimes it comes with a price.”
Lei says Pangxin is confident of its investment in NZ
“We have nothing to hide and would like to be the role model for investment in New Zealand,” he says.
“We want to lead the way to open the door for more companies working together.
“Together we can create a New Zealand / China innovation technology pact, that way we can use our strengths.
“In China , we have an old saying, ‘opportunities do not wait’. Let’s work together hand in hand, it is a winning situation for all of us.”
What has the average NZ family gained in this the “fourth year of the FTA?”
This FTA was expected to deliver an increase in trade with China and positive economic growth in New Zealand, which was supposed to result in higher living standards on average for all New Zealanders.
There appears to only be, and in my view a “huge [level of] cooperation” between Shanghai Pengxin and Fonterra.
What sort of trade barriers is New Zealand still faced with in China?
The tariffs on 96 percent of New Zealand’s current exports to China was to be being eliminated over time, so how much has been eliminated 4 years on?
The FTA was also , meant to encourage cooperation between the relevant officials, regulators and technical experts to remove non-tariff barriers to trade, how much has been removed? So that New Zealand exports can be more competitive in the Chinese market?
I have read that there will be no tariff reduction under the FTA for some processed wood products and paper products exported to China. In total, these products account for 4 percent of New Zealand’s current exports to China. It is because, as part of its accession to the WTO, China agreed that any preferential commitments it makes on wood and paper products in an FTA must be offered to all WTO Members.
“Bilateral investments are very good for business. China got to where it is now in 30 years by opening its doors to foreign investors” so Shanghai Pengxin Chief Executive, Jiang Lei says, is China’s doors open to New Zealander’s to purchase LAND in China? seeing that “It was revealed last month that Jiang’s brother Zhaobai Jiang, Shanghai Pengxin’s billionaire chairman, is behind a $550 million plan to develop Gulf Harbour on the Whangaparaoa Peninsula.” I may want to develop a number of upmarket golf courses and “In my view that would be a classic example of a huge [level of] cooperation” between China and me!
What is good for the Red Dragon under the FTA should be good enough also for this Poi swirling Maori wahine from downunder.
I was bought up with Chinese people as my father, as a lawyer in 1920s till 1960 had many Chinese clients and spoke Mandarin. The biggest problem is not understanding your culture. One way to overcome New Zealanders wariness of your culture is to learn English. Doesn’t matter if an accent but just trying is appreciated. I have visited many countries and before I went learnt the basics of their language. Also learnt the basics of their culture eg would cover up in Muslim countries. You in Asia have a very old but often misunderstood culture. Be proud of it and tell it.