Ethnic issues focus of New Zealand minister's visit to China

New Zealand's burgeoning Chinese population will be the subject of a visit to China by Ethnic Communities Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga this month.

Lotu-Iiga left Wednesday for talks in Beijing, Guangzhou and Hong Kong to discuss New Zealand's growing diversity and issues related to his other portfolio as Minister for Local Government.

Lotu-Iiga would meet senior State Councillor Yang Jiechi and other government officials from Nov. 3 to 10.

"I will also be meeting officials from the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office. The office oversees and co-ordinates relationships with Chinese communities internationally," Lotu-Iiga said in a statement.

"I will be reinforcing the importance of our Chinese communities in New Zealand and will take the opportunity to share New Zealand's approach to promoting social cohesion and the benefits of ethnic diversity," he said.

"With the increased flow of trade and investment our people to people and cultural relationships become increasingly important."

Chinese people had been part of New Zealand society since the 1850s and now comprised New Zealand's third largest ethnic group with 171,411 people or 4 percent of the population.

About 6,000 people arrived from China to live in New Zealand every year.

He said he would also be looking at issues affecting local governments in China.

"Chinese municipal authorities are at the forefront of innovation in many areas of infrastructure development. Transport and water control are significant issues. There is much to share around innovative approaches to local government," he said.

"China is also at the leading edge of international 'Smart City' projects. These provide new evolving opportunities for future community development by leveraging the use of technology." Endit