President Xi to unveil major hotel project for Auckland
Engagements at SkyCity dominate the second and final day of the state visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping and Madame Peng Liyuan.
Engagements at SkyCity Grand and Convention Centre in Auckland dominate the second and final day of the state visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping and Madame Peng Liyuan.
President Xi meets new Labour leader Andrew Little and a local government mayoral forum, where President Xi gives an address.
This event also includes a ceremony acknowledging a new agreement to improve on “sister city” connections between New Zealand and the 656 cities and provinces in China.
President Xi will also reveal more details of a $200 million hotel in Auckland's waterfront. being funded by a Chinese company.
After a "multi-media showcase" lunch at SkyCity, the 160-strong Chinese delegation heads for an agri-tech display at the Karaka NZ Bloodstock Yards before departing from Auckland Airport at 3pm for Fiji.
Yesterday, the Chinese delegation were in Wellington where President Xi and several of his ministers signed a series of agreements.
These included ones that will allow mutual recognition of university degrees, ease some immigration rules for qualified Chinese, extend a working holiday scheme and set up co-production television deals.
The New Zealand Film Commission also established a $1 million fund for feature co-productions.
Other agreements covered tourism, food safety, scientific and environmental research in the Antarctic, climate change and investment in the forestry industry.
Madame Peng received an honorary doctorate from Massey University’s creative arts school. In China, she was a popular singer during the 1980s.
The day concluded back in Auckland with a private dinner last night at Government House for President Xi and Madame Peng with Prime Minister John and Bronagh Key.
Nevil Gibson
Fri, 21 Nov 2014
Fri, 21 Nov 2014
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President Xi to unveil major hotel project for Auckland
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