Consul General Chen Shijie attended the 2024 Annual Gala Dinner hosted by the Hong Kong New Zealand Business Association (HKNZBA) on 15 August. Members of New Zealand Parliament Dr. Carlos Cheung and Nancy Lu, CEO of Auckland Chamber Simon Bridges, President of HKNZBA Martin Abert, and over a hundred business representatives from China and New Zealand participated in the event.

In his speech, Consul General Chen introduced that, the Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China made plans to further deepening reform comprehensively to advance Chinese Modernization, which would bring more development opportunities to countries around the world, including New Zealand. He stressed that the Plenary further clarified Hong Kong's strategic positioning, and Hong Kong would surely have an even better tomorrow, with the support and guidance of the Central Government and the concerted efforts of the Government of the Hong Kong SAR and all sectors of society to pursue reform and development. The Chinese Consulate General in Auckland will continue to support Hong Kong to expand its exchanges and cooperation in economic, trade, cultural and other fields in the consular district. 

The music and dance performed by Chinese teenagers won rounds of applause. Guests discussed the investment opportunities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and wished for deeper cooperation between Hong Kong and the consular district with more tangible outcomes.