On the 7th, September 2015, the First New Zealand-China Mayoral Forum was successfully hosted by the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) and Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) in Xiamen. Dr. Ma Peihua, Vice Chairman of Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and Vice President of China-Oceanian Friendship Association, Madam Li Xiaolin, President of CPAFFC and H.E. Mr. Ambassador John Mckinnon attended and addressed the Forum respectively. 25 mayors and representatives from both China and New Zealand and around 200 delegates altogether was present at the Forum.

Group Photo of Dr. Ma Peihua, Vice Chairman of CPPCC and VIP Guests for the First New Zealand-China Mayoral Forum

Dr. Ma Peihua pointed out in his speech that local exchanges constituted an important part of state relations. Cooperation among local governments of China and other countries had tightened their trading, economic and cultural relations. Moreover, they have deepened understanding and friendship between peoples of China and other countries cross the globe. In November 2014, with witness from President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister John Key, CPAFFC and LGNZ officially announced the establishment of the mechanism of exchange and cooperation of mayors of New Zealand and China. Local government cooperation between the two countries featured highly-complementary and both sides should value innovation and grasp favorable opportunities to lift the local exchanges to a new high.

Dr. Ma Peihua, Vice Chairman of CPPCC addressing the Opening

Madam Li said that CPAFFC would take this Forum as an opportunity to enhance cooperation with LGNZ and try our best to implement the mechanism, making it a long-standing platform for mayors of the two countries, thus promoting practical cooperation and inject new momentum for China-New Zealand relations.

Madam Li Xiaolin, President of CPAFFC addressing the Opening

Mr. Lawrence Yule, President of LGNZ expressed that the Forum was very efficient and fruitful. He wished that local governments could take active parts to expand cooperation thus injecting new stimulus for the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries.

Mr. Lawrence Yule, President of LGNZ addressing the Opening

Themed on “Innovation and Development”, the mayors discussed upon exchanges and cooperation in the fields of tourism, education and primary industry, etc. The outcome of the Forum turned out as Xiamen Declaration.

H.E. Mr. Ambassador John Mckinnon addressing the Opening

Mayors from China are: Mr. Pei Jinjia, Mayor of Xiamen, Mr. Lu Ziyue, Mayor of Ningbo, Mr. Zhang Xinqi, Mayor of Qingdao, Mr. Wan Yong, Mayor of Wuhan, Mr. Chen Jianhua, Mayor of Guangzhou, Mr. Xu Qin, Mayor of Shenzhen, Mr. Ma Xuming, Mayor of Yichang, Mr. Zhang Zejun, Mayor of Lijiang, Mr. Huang Zeyuan, Mayor of Zhangye, Mr. Ji Ningfeng, Vice Mayor of Guiyang, Mr. Li Mingyuan, Mayor of Weinan, Mr. He Xiangdong, Vice Mayor of Lanzhou, Ms. Lu Baoyun, Mayor of Gongqingcheng.

Mr. Xie Yuan, Vice President of CPAFFC presiding over the Forum

Mayors from New Zealand are: Mr. Lawrence Yule, Mayor of Hastings, Ms. Celia Wade-Brown, Mayor of Wellington, Mr. Len Brown, Mayor of Auckland, Ms. Lianne Dalziel, Mayor of Christchurch, Mr. Dave Cull, Mayor of Dunedin, Mr. Stuart Crosby, Mayor of Tauranga, Mr. Grant Smith, Mayor of Palmerston North, Mr. Damon Odey, Mayor of Timaru, Mr. Meng Foon, Mayor of Gisborne, Ms. Annette Main, Mayor of Wanganui, Mr. David Trewavas, Mayor of Taupo, Ms. Jan Barnes, Mayor of Matamata Piako District.

On-site of the First New Zealand China Mayoral Forum