Hon Dr Michael Cullen
Deputy Prime Minister
26 March 2007 Media Statement
Guangzhou diplomatic office to open
Deputy Prime Minister Dr Michael Cullen today announced that New Zealand would open a Consulate General in Guangzhou,
China, in April, the first diplomatic office to open in China since the Shanghai Consulate General was opened in 1991.
The announcement followed discussions this afternoon with Chinese Vice Premier Zeng Peiyan. Dr Cullen said the existing
New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE) office in Guangzhou would be upgraded to a Consulate General next month.
"The decision to open New Zealand’s second Consulate General in mainland China underlines the deepening ties with one of
our most important trading partners," said Dr Cullen.
"The new Consulate General provides an even better environment for boosting trade and government links with Guangzhou
and the surrounding provinces. With increasing numbers of New Zealanders travelling to and working in China, the
Consulate General will provide additional consular resources in the south."
This decision was formalised by an exchange of diplomatic notes between the New Zealand Embassy in Beijing and the
Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
ENDS