Make it 1000%!
OPINION: The appendage swinging contest between the US and China continues, with China hitting back with a new rate of 125% on the US, up from the 84% announced earlier.
Chinese business investors are looking for fair play and a consistent message from the Government, business and the community, says ambassador to New Zealand, Wang Lutong.
The two countries and businesses have a consensus that investment is beneficial – a win-win situation, he told a Chinese Business Summit in Auckland this week, in answer to questions.
He says Chinese investors are happy with the conditions here, but are looking for that consistent message.
Earlier Lutong said the Chinese economy is undergoing a major transformation from an economy sustained by exports and investment to an economy powered by consumption and innovation.
"The speed of growth is shifting from high to medium-high. The speed might be medium-high to China but is still very high to the rest of the world.
"We are also rebalancing the economy away from heavy industries to the services and reducing state intervention to encourage the market to play a more decisive role.
"Innovation is highlighted as the driving force for China's economic reforms and growth goals."
He said reforms will be deepened and new growth released from entrepreneurship, innovation and creativity. One example is that internet will be better integrated with traditional industries.
He said commodities trade will remain a core strength of two way trade between NZ and China. But there will be growing and new opportunities for NZ which is also very creative, competitive, open and globally orientated.
"We have a fundamental stake in each others' success," he said.
He said there are tremendous business opportunities out there but contracts are not all about business. "We need to reach out, enhance understandings and forge relationships that will go on for many years.
"Sometimes we have to give before we take. We have to give sincerity and thoughtfulness; sometimes we have to show even more trust and respect. Sometimes we have to observe and reflect instead of react. Sometimes we have to change and adapt in order to stay relevant to the changes of China.
"China's change will be New Zealanders' moment. I encourage you to keep up the fine work you have been doing and I am confident New Zealand is perfectly placed to seize that moment."
Newly appointed National Fieldays chief executive Richard Lindroos says his team is ready, excited and looking forward to delivering the four-day event next month.
More than 70 farmers from across the North and South Islands recently spent a dayand- a-half learning new business management and planning skills at Rabobank Ag Pathways Programmes held in Invercargill, Ashburton and Hawera.
Government ministers cannot miss the ‘SOS’ – save our sheep call - from New Zealand farmers.
A tax advisory specialist is hailing a 20% tax deduction to spur business asset purchases as a golden opportunity for agribusiness.
Sheep and beef farmers have voted to approve Beef + Lamb New Zealand signing an operational agreement between the agricultural sector and the Government on foot and mouth disease readiness and response.
The head of the New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers organisation NZKGI says the points raised in a report about the sector by Waikato University professor Frank Scrimgeour were not a surprise.
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