New Zealand PM addresses students at Tsinghua University

New Zealand Prime Minister John Key visited Tsinghua University and delivered a speech to the Tsinghua Global Vision Lecture Series on April 19th.

The Prime Minister spoke of the growing relations between the two countries, with his lecture: “New Zealand and China: A Partnership of Innovation and Growth”.

Tsinghua President Qiu Yong met with Prime Minister John Key and delivered the opening remarks prior to the lecture. Vice President Shi Yigong hosted the Tsinghua Global Vision Lecture Series event.

In his speech, Key explored the main themes of “innovation and creativity”, noting the dynamic change in the Asia-Pacific region is constantly creating new opportunities for the two countries, businesses and people to work together.

As a large and high-ranking delegation accompanied the Prime Minister to China this week, Key believes that they play a central role in improving understanding and awareness between the two countries.

Key pointed out that education is an important link between the two countries. 30,000 Chinese students chose to study in New Zealand last year, making China the country’s largest source of international students. A growing number of New Zealand students are also going to China or learning to speak the language.

Currently, there are 14 New Zealand students studying at Tsinghua.

"New Zealanders and Chinese should rightly be proud of the relationship between our two countries. And a bright future awaits us,” said the Prime Minister.

Tsinghua has close collaborative relationships with 5 universities in New Zealand, namely the University of Auckland, University of Otago, University of Canterbury, University of Lincoln and Massey University.

The longest collaboration is with the University of Auckland which commenced in 2004. Since then Tsinghua has started exchange programs with the University of Auckland, University of Canterbury and University of Otago.

Prime Minister John Key, the 38th Prime Minister of New Zealand, has held office since November 2008. This is his sixth visit to China as Prime Minister of New Zealand. 

(From Office of Global Communications and Outreach)