On 6 July 2026, Chinese Consul-General in Auckland Chen Shijie published a signed article in the quarterly journal of the New Zealand China Business Roundtable, titled 'How the 15th Five-Year Plan transforms China and benefits the world'. The article says the plan,

oriented towards innovation, green development, people-centredness and win-win cooperation,

represents a Chinese approach to sharing development opportunities globally. The Roundtable, established in 2018, counts among its members Zespri,

Fonterra, Silver Fern Farms and a2 Milk.

China's 15th Five-Year Plan prioritises domestic demand expansion and green development, offering structural opportunities for New Zealand food exporters. Fonterra's Anchor brand holds about 5% of the dairy retail market in China, while a2 Milk's cross-border infant formula sales still rely on low-tariff arrangements under the NZ-China FTA. The plan's 'people-centred' emphasis suggests further growth in health and nutrition-oriented consumption, potentially accelerating demand for organic and grass-fed dairy imports.

Meanwhile, the plan's focus on carbon neutrality and green transition means Zespri is already promoting its carbon-neutral kiwifruit in China; low-carbon supply chains could become a market access requirement, prompting smaller exporters to plan carbon footprint accounting and disclosure. On the other hand, China's push for technological innovation is improving digital trade and cold chain logistics efficiency, lowering barriers for long-distance fresh trade and creating opportunities for boutique food brands to enter second- and third-tier cities. However, the plan also highlights industrial security and local substitution; domestic investment in deep-processed categories such as cheese and butter is rising.

NZ companies now face not only competition from other importers but also technological catch-up by local dairy firms, requiring them to rely more on pasture-based storytelling and quality differentiation to maintain premiums.

Keywords: 15th Five-Year Plan, Chen Shijie, Consul-General in Auckland, New Zealand China Business Roundtable, signed article, innovation, green development, win-win cooperation, Zespri, Fonterra

2026年7月6日，驻奥克兰总领事陈世杰在新西兰中国商业圆桌会季刊发表署名文章《“十五五”规划如何改变中国、惠及世界》。文章指出，“十五五”规划以创新、绿色、人民为本、合作共赢为方向，是世界共享发展机遇的中国方案。该圆桌会成立于2018年，会员包括佳沛、恒天然、银蕨农场、a2牛奶等新西兰知名企业。

中国“十五五”规划将内需扩大与绿色发展置于核心，这对新西兰食品出口商构成结构性机遇。恒天然旗下安佳品牌在华乳制品零售市场占有率约5%，a2牛奶近年通过跨境电商实现的婴儿配方奶粉销售仍依赖中新自贸协定下的低关税安排，规划强调的“人民为本”意味着健康、营养型消费将进一步增长，有机及草饲乳品的进口需求有望提速。同时，规划突出碳中和与绿色转型，佳沛已在华推广其碳中和认证奇异果，未来低碳供应链或成为市场准入门槛，中小型出口商需要提前规划碳足迹核算与披露。

另一方面，中国大力推动科技创新，数字贸易和冷链物流效率提升，将降低远程生鲜贸易的门槛，为小而精的精品食品品牌进入二三线城市提供可能。然而，规划也强调产业安全与本地替代，奶酪、黄油等深加工品类在华本地生产投资上升，NZ企业面对的不再仅是同类进口商竞争，还有本地乳企的技术追赶，需要进一步依靠牧场故事性和品质差异维系溢价。

关键词: 十五五规划, 陈世杰, 驻奥克兰总领事, 新西兰中国商业圆桌会, 署名文章, 创新, 绿色发展, 合作共赢, 佳沛, 恒天然

AI illustration on MiDeer Observer

Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs