On September 10th, the Māori Culture Center in Auckland, New Zealand, played host to the China-New Zealand Youth Cultural Exchange Dialogue. The event attracted around 80 guests from various institutions, including the China-New Zealand Friendship Association, the University of Auckland, and the New Zealand Contemporary China Research Center.

The dialogue centered on the theme “New Technologies Driving Civilizational Mutual Learning and Innovation.” Participants were encouraged to leverage new technologies to foster cultural exchanges and enhance mutual understanding between China and New Zealand. Throughout the event, attendees shared inspiring stories of friendship and collaboration, with the goal of strengthening cultural ties and promoting a lasting friendship powered by youthful enthusiasm.

Former New Zealand Prime Minister John Key addressed the audience, noting that New Zealand was the first developed nation to acknowledge China’s complete market economy status. He pointed out that New Zealand was also the first to establish a bilateral agreement with China regarding its accession to the World Trade Organization and the first to initiate negotiations for a bilateral free trade agreement. He expressed delight in seeing young individuals take on the role of “investors” in fostering friendships between China, New Zealand, and beyond, emphasizing the importance of ensuring this camaraderie persists.

Attendees highlighted that the relationship between China and New Zealand has reached unprecedented levels in recent years, characterized by a strong bond and abundant opportunities for collaboration. They recognized that the current digital wave presents new prospects for partnership and expressed hope that the youth from both countries would capitalize on these opportunities to enhance dialogue and communication, thereby enriching their comprehensive strategic partnership through increasingly close exchanges.

This event was organized by the China Foreign Language Bureau and hosted by the Contemporary China and World Research Institute. It marks a significant milestone as the “International Young Leaders Dialogue” project takes its inaugural step in New Zealand, heralding a new chapter in the youth cultural exchange between China and New Zealand.