Abstract:President Xi Jinping’s invitation for New Zealand to participate in the development of the “21st Century Maritime Silk Road” during his November 2014 state visit presents a new platform for strengthening New Zealand-China relations. As a strong supporter of development projects and regional integration in the Asia Pacific region,particularly in Southeast Asia and the Pacific,New Zealand has signalled its interest in partnering with China and other countries to meet these goals. While it is still too early to tell which projects New Zealand could best contribute to,New Zealand’s history of “firsts” with China and its positive response to the formation of the Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank suggest a proactive role for the New Zealand government,businesses and people. This article outlines the potential value to New Zealand of the “One Belt One Road” initiative and the areas of potential participation that could add real value. It identifies areas of potential cooperation based on analysis of past and current achievements,including an overview of the recent upgrading of relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. It argues New Zealand could play a key role supporting the development of regional governance,regional integration and in the provision of niche services and goods trade in regional value chains,as well as by supporting the development of safe and secure agricultural practices,trade and governance in the region. The article concludes the “One Belt One Road” initiative will likely be an important platform for further developing New Zealand-China relations in the coming years.
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