By CGTN`s Gao Songya
China and New Zealand are two different yet highly complementary countries, and are to seek out more opportunities for cooperation in the future, says Trevor Yaxley, CEO of New Zealand animation studio Huhu Studios.
Huhu took part in the first joint film project between China and New Zealand in 2015, with the affiliated China Film Animation of China Film Group. Huhu also launched a branch studio in Beijing to better taste China's fast-expanding film market.
In 2015, Huhu studio and China Film Animation signed to co-produce a cartoon film called “The Beast of Burden” /sina.com.cn
And Trevor Yaxley, the CEO who already lives in Beijing half of the time, said that more cooperation will work for both sides.
“There are so much in China and in New Zealand, and we complement each other in many different ways. China is amazing in business acumen, and New Zealand is a creative and pioneer country, so together we enhance each other,” Yaxley said.
New Zealand became the first developed country to sign up for China's Belt and Road Initiative on Monday, during Chinese Premier Li Keqiang's official visit there.
The education in New Zealand also attracts Chinese students. Parents and students are looking and consulting at the New Zealand stand at the 22nd China International Education Exhibition Tour on March 25 in Beijing. /CFP Photo
Yaxley also refuted the notion that New Zealand is relying too much on its relationship with China.
“From the history we can tell that China is never an aggressor, instead, it's been attacked so many times. So we don't need to fear China, we can do significant things together, not just for the two countries, but globally,” Yaxley said.
To emphasize the point, Yaxley noted that while New Zealand has the world's top environmental understanding, China has an amazing industrial understanding, noting that it would be a great “win-win” if the two understandings could be conferred on each other.
China has been a big investor in New Zealand`s food processing sector, and a major importer of dairy products. China`s Yili recently expanded their factory in New Zealand to become the country's biggest diary producer there.
Boxes of New Zealand-imported milk are stocked at a store in the bonded area in Nantong, Jiangsu province. On the board it writes “Imported from New Zealand”, which has been a huge selling point for dairy products in China. /CFP Photo
Yaxley also added that business ties are yet to be diversified. He sees the potential in retail trade especially, as some of the cities in China have even bigger markets than the whole country of New Zealand.
“New Zealand business needs more patience with the Chinese market. They need to send top people here to spend face time, or even live here, because it takes an understanding to remove frustrations when dealing business in a foreign culture,” Yaxley said.
