Simon Bridges, leader of the New Zealand National Party, delivers a speech at the Belt and Road Agricultural Product Investment Cooperation Forum on Sept 8 in Xiamen, Fujian province. [Photo/fao.xm.gov.cn]

A major New Zealand politician and the leader of the New Zealand National Party, Simon Bridges, led a delegation to Xiamen, Fujian province, for the 2019 China International Fair for Investment and Trade on Sept 7-8.

Bridges delivered a speech at the opening ceremony of the New Zealand pavilion at 2019 CIFIT on Sept 8.

He said that the pavilion was of great importance to promote mutual investment and economic and trade cooperation between China and New Zealand.

A total of 15 companies from New Zealand set up stands at the pavilion, showcasing dairy products, wines, baby products, cosmetics and services for studying abroad as well as for immigrantion.

While attending the Belt and Road Agricultural Product Investment Cooperation Forum, Bridges mentioned that New Zealand has seen closer trading ties with China under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative.

He added that the initiative has helped his country expand its export share of agricultural products and New Zealand will further improve their quality to satisfy the international market.

The delegation also visited two New Zealand companies in Xiamen -- Xiamen Four-Faith Communication Technology Co and MEO™ Healthy Breath Ltd -- to explore more trade opportunities with the Chinese city.