Ladies and gentlemen:

Good afternoon!

I am delighted to be here today at this great event for kicking off the upcoming historic visit to China by the Infrastructure NZ. On behalf of the Chinese Consulate General in Auckland, I'd like to extend our warmest welcome to you all to visit China. The Delegation is so well represented, from ministries, associations and enterprises related to infrastructure development in NZ. At this special occasion, I wish to pay tribute to the Infrastructure NZ, especially to its Chief Executive, Mr. Stephen Selwood, Andrew Stephen and the leadership team for their vision, entrepreneurship and pioneering spirit in initiating and making the China trip possible.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Your visit takes place at a very important time for China .This year marks the 70th anniversary of the founding of the New China-the People's Republic of China. Over the past seven decades, especially during past 41 years of reform and opening up, China has created miracles one after another in infrastructure development, with a large number of mega projects completed. Take transportation for example, by the end of 2017, the mileage of China's railways and roads have reached 127,000 kilometers and 4.78 million kilometers respectively, which was 2.5 times and 5.4 times that of 1978. Among them, the mileage of motorway is 136,500 kilometers, ranking first in the world, and the mileage of high-speed railway is 25,000 kilometers, accounting for 66.3% of the world's total. Starting from scratch, China's transportation has turned into the world's largest integrated networks consisting of railways, motorways, airways and waterways that radiate in all directions. In terms of high-speed railways, long-span bridges and tunnels, offshore deep-water ports and large airport projects, China has entered into the world's leading ranks. Such super-projects as Beijing-Shanghai High-speed Railway, Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge and Beijing Daxing International Airport have become new name cards of China's infrastructure booming in the new era, which I believe you will have opportunity to visit this time.

This year is a crucial year for China to reach its first centenary goal which is to build China into a moderately prosperous society at all respects by 2020 and also a crucial year for China to implement its 13th five years plan. China's Five year plan system started in 1953, 4 years after the New China was established. Each five year plan was drafted through very democratic process. The State Council Research Office and State Development and Reform Commission play important roles in organizing the drafting and conduct hundreds of research seminars and meetings small or big through different levels including central or local and from all walks of life. Within the period of its 12th year plan, China became the No 2 economy in the world. The 13th five year plan, of which we have entered into the fourth year, set many concrete goals for China economic and social development including infrastructure. More than 165 big projects outlined in the 13th five year plan have been progressing very well and smoothly. When you go to China, you are most welcome to ask questions regarding the drafting and implementation of the plan.

The story of China's success fully demonstrates that infrastructure development serves as prerequisite for sustainable economic and social growth, driving progress of related industries, improvement of investment environment and betterment of people's living standard. In this regard, China and NZ are faced with similar task of enhancing infrastructure and therefore have huge potential for mutually-beneficial cooperation due to our relative advantages in development. Last October, I attended the ceremony on the delivery of three ship-to-shore cranes from Shanghai Zhenhua (ZPMC) to the Port of Auckland. The putting in place of these gorgeous cranes has uplifted the loading capacity of Port of Auckland to meet the rapid growth of business. This testifies the win-win nature of China-NZ pragmatic cooperation, which becomes more obvious given the fast development of international cooperation on Belt and Road Initiative.

Ladies and gentlemen,

"Seeing is believing." China and NZ are in different development status and the problems we face are different, but the two countries can still learn a lot from each other. It is my firm belief and hope that through this visit to China, the delegation will gain a wider and deeper understanding into China's practice in infrastructure development. With this regard, I'd like to share with you some of my personal views for your references.

First, emphasis should be put on investment from different channels. To this end, China has given full play to the decisive role of the market in resource allocation, arousing enthusiasm of the government at all levels central and local, banks, enterprises and private sectors to conduct PPP model, among others, in a bid to raise as much funds as possible to support infrastructure construction. In 2017, China's total volume of investment in infrastructure reached RMB 17.31 Trillion, 14.93% more than the previous year.

Second, innovation and technology play a key role. China attaches great importance to the utilization of new technology and innovation in infrastructure building. Without the backing of technological innovation, it would have been impossible for China to build so many modern wonders on the earth. By applying new technology and ideas into infrastructure, China has leapfrogged from a stage of "merely following", through "running abreast", and to the stage of "leading".

Third, efforts need to be made for international cooperation. China's experience and progress in infrastructure development offers alternative ways for other countries that have similar demand to follow and open new space for infrastructure development in a larger landscape. It is out of this consideration that China has given much priority to infrastructure cooperation in its external co-operations, which has been guaranteed by many regional and international mechanisms. Among them, the Belt and Road Initiative, along with the Silk Road Fund and Asian Infrastructure Development Bank, provides an effective platform and necessary resources for BRI countries to deepen cooperation in infrastructure development.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Thanks to the joint efforts from both sides, China and NZ have increased cooperation in many fields. As part of the natural extension of the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, NZ is the first western developed country to join the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and sign a BRI cooperation document with China. Over years, a lot of early harvest under the BRI framework has been achieved in my consular districts. As far as aviation connectivity is concerned, direct flights between Auckland and major cities in China have increased nearly four times in the past four years. During peak season, nearly 160 flights fly between major cities of China and Auckland per week. Statistics shows that each flight generates an average revenue of NZD180 million annually for NZ.

Furthermore, with expansion of flights between China and Auckland, the prospect of building Auckland into a gate way for tourists from East Asia including China to make a stop and fly on to South America is standing out. Looking into the future, NZ is very likely to become a new aviation center of the global network, transforming its geographical remoteness in the far Southern Hemisphere into geographical advantage. This will bring huge driving force for NZ future economic growth and demand further development of infrastructure in related areas.

China values its mutually beneficial relationship with NZ, and sincerely hopes to expand exchanges and cooperation in pragmatic areas on the basis of mutual respect, equality, mutual trust and win-win results. Given the potential of NZ infrastructure development and China's expertise and efficiency in execution of projects, many opportunities can be tapped and a lot of tangible results be made in future cooperation for the benefit of our two peoples.

I sincerely hope that the delegation will make full use of this visit to learn more about China, and strengthen exchanges and open business opportunities with your Chinese counterparts.

I wish you all a wonderful journey to China, and the visit complete success. I look forward to meeting you all at my residence shortly.

Thank you!