On 24 June, New Zealand-China Friendship Society President Brett O’Riley and his delegation paid a visit to the Beijing People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries. Wang Yu, Party Secretary and Executive Vice President of the Association, met the delegation, congratulated O’Riley on his election and spoke highly of his active role in promoting subnational exchanges between New Zealand and China. The two sides exchanged in-depth views on deepening people-to-people friendship and expanding practical cooperation.

Wang Yu highlighted the seminars on urban construction, cultural tourism development, and digital economy that the two organisations have held in recent years, which facilitated exchanges and mutual learning among professionals. He expressed hope for future cooperation in areas such as cultural exchanges, youth friendship, and economic, trade and professional talent collaboration. O’Riley thanked the Association for its support and noted that 2027 marks the centenary of Rewi Alley’s arrival in China.

He expressed his desire to jointly hold a series of commemorative events with the Association and other organisations to carry forward traditional friendship and explore effective ways to broaden practical cooperation.

For small and medium enterprise owners in New Zealand, the visit by the NZCFS President to China highlights two key points. First, people-to-people diplomacy builds a bridge of trust for business cooperation. The two organisations have held multiple seminars on urban governance, cultural tourism and the digital economy – areas where SMEs can participate.

In particular, regarding the digital economy, New Zealand SMEs could draw on China’s experience in smart cities and the digital transformation of cultural tourism to seek technology or service exports. Second, the centenary commemorations for Rewi Alley in 2027 will offer a branding opportunity. SMEs can leverage this cultural symbol to launch co-branded products or themed activities with Chinese partners, raising brand awareness in the Chinese market.

It should also be noted that while high-level exchanges like this do not directly generate orders, they can improve the soft environment – such as visa facilitation and mutual recognition of industry standards – thereby lowering trade barriers. It is advisable to watch for any subsequent policies supporting special people-to-people exchange programmes.

Keywords: New Zealand-China Friendship Society, Beijing People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, Brett O'Riley, Wang Yu, Rewi Alley, people-to-people friendship, practical cooperation, 2027, economic and trade cooperation, cultural exchange

6月24日，新西兰-中国友好协会主席欧百利（Brett O’Riley）一行拜会北京市人民对外友好协会。市对外友协党组书记、常务副会长王禹会见代表团，祝贺欧百利当选，并高度评价其推动中新地方交往的积极作用。双方就深化民间友好、拓展务实合作深入交换意见。

王禹回顾过去几年两会举办市政建设、文旅发展、数字经济研讨会，推动专业人才交流互鉴。期待未来在人文交流、青少年友好、经贸及专业人才合作等领域合作。欧百利感谢支持，表示2027年适逢路易·艾黎来华100周年，希望届时与市对外友协等单位共同举办系列纪念活动，赓续传统友谊，并探索拓宽务实合作的有效途径。

对中新友好协会主席访华，新西兰中小企业主应重点关注两点：一是民间外交为商贸合作搭建信任桥梁。两会多次举办市政、文旅、数字经济研讨会，这些领域正是中小企业可参与的方向——尤其数字经济方面，新西兰中小企业可对接中国在智慧城市、文旅数字化转型的经验，寻求技术或服务输出。二是2027年路易·艾黎百年纪念活动将带来品牌推广窗口。

中小企业可借助这一文化符号，联合中国伙伴推出联名产品或主题活动，提升品牌在中国市场的认知度。同时需注意，此类高层交往虽不直接产生订单，但能推动签证便利化、行业标准互认等软环境改善，降低贸易壁垒。建议关注后续可能出台的民间交流专项支持政策。

关键词: 新西兰-中国友好协会, 北京市人民对外友好协会, 欧百利, 王禹, 路易·艾黎, 民间友好, 务实合作, 2027年, 经贸合作, 文化交流

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Source: Baijiahao