Hui shines a spotlight on Shanghai’s innovation sector

Visiting social e-commerce company Xiaohongshu

Why did you want to take part in the hui?

Shalini: I've always been fascinated by China, particularly its advancements in technology and medical research. As someone with a background in medical research, I’m especially intrigued by how far China has come in these fields and wanted to learn more. When I saw the opportunity to visit China through this hui, I knew I had to apply, especially since the main focus of the hui was to explore Shanghai's tech and medical sectors. 

Max: I was born in Taiwan and having grown up the vast majority of my life in New Zealand, I have never been to mainland China. Despite being able to speak Mandarin fluently, and perhaps having certain preconceptions about China, I wanted to see for myself what the place was like. Its proximity and importance to New Zealand, not least economically and politically, also made it an attractive place to visit.

What were your initial impressions of China?

Shalini: This was my first time in China, and I was amazed by how organized, clean, and well-structured Shanghai was. The people were incredibly warm and welcoming, even with the language barriers, and I felt like I was in a place that’s always striving to improve and evolve. China is unlike any other Asian country I’ve visited, and I was truly impressed.

Max: I think it is important to note that this is the Shanghai Hui, and that China is a large and complex country with many layers, which at times even felt like they were in tension or in contradiction, so I think it is important not to overgeneralise.

My very first impression of where we were staying in Shanghai was that it was modern, developed, clean, and throughout my time in China I felt very safe.

The city exudes a cosmopolitan energy, with specialty coffee shops (I took the availability of coffee in Shanghai for granted until I solo travelled to other Chinese cities after the Shanghai Hui - which included Beijing, Xi'an, and Huashan) and international influences blending with traditional elements. 

Shenanigans at West Lake, Hangzhou

What was it like travelling with a group of Leadership Network members?

Shalini: One of the best parts of attending the hui was forming such strong connections with the leadership network members.

Most of us were on the same flight and didn’t know each other at all. But by the end of the hui, we had all become great friends, and the trip felt even more meaningful because of the bond we had built. 

Max: Being on a Hui is such a unique and valuable experience, and one of the highlights is being able to experience it with such an impressive cohort of talented and interesting people from a wide range of fields and different walks of life. 

The reasonably demanding and collective nature of the Hui, in terms of the action-packed itinerary and visiting another country together, also created a sense of comradery and measured pride as kiwis. I made some great friends both in and out of Wellington and who I know I will continue to stay in touch with for years to come.  

Was there a place or person that you visited/met that really stood out to you?

Shalini: I really enjoyed the trip to Hangzhou, especially visiting West Lake and the Lingyin Temple.

I have a deep interest in the history of places, and this day was all about immersing myself in that. Our tour guide was fantastic—he had so much knowledge about each location and took the time to share various folklore connected to them.

The Lingyin Temple had a particularly profound impact on me, as Buddhism is a spiritual practice I follow. I truly appreciated the time spent there and learning about how Buddhism has influenced so many lives. 

Out and about in Shanghai

Max: One highlight was the robust conversations with a foreign journalist based in China, Edward White, working for the Financial Times.

The broad group discussion highlighted the complexities of China, and I was intrigued by the thought-provoking issues ranging from the trade-offs between the pace of green transition and questions regarding national security, political cleavages in the Chinese population, how the Chinese political system maintains a pressure valve for public opinion, and practical realities of being a journalist for an overseas media publication.  

What was the most fun thing you did in Shanghai?

Shalini: The whole trip was a mix of fun, learning, and plenty of laughs. One moment that really stands out for me was when a few of the leadership network members decided to be brave and try fried scorpion and cockroach at Hefang Street.

Their reactions and the instant response after biting into those crunchy treats were absolutely priceless. We all had a great laugh and managed to capture some hilarious videos.

Seraphine and Max about to indulge in fried scorpion in Hangzhou

Max: At the start of the trip, before the commencement of the hui proper, some of the Leadership Network members (shoutout to Seraphine and Peter) and I decided to go for some cultural immersion and check out a local bar. This proved more difficult than we realised and was also a pretty amusing experience. 

Our troubles began when our dear friend Peter tried to direct us to a local bar he found using Google maps, and we circled around a somewhat less traversed street of the city and somehow landed up at a construction site...and that was just the beginning.

What do you think the most important thing/s you took away from the trip are?

Visiting the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences (left) and attending New Zealand Business Roundtable in China (NZBRiC)

Shalini: One of the key takeaways from the trip was the strong friendships I formed with the leadership network members. Connecting with strangers can be tough, but by the end of the trip, we felt like family.

The experience also shifted my perspective on China. I now see how much New Zealand could benefit from China’s technological innovations and overall economic advancements.

This trip made me realise just how crucial the relationship between New Zealand and China is, particularly for the growth and development of our country.

Max: At the end of the trip, a Leadership Network member lamented over the lack of vision in New Zealand politics. It is important to recognise the significant trade-offs and distinct political economic environment that can make this more possible. However, an observation is long-term policy making, consensus building both politically and within society, and having clear strategic direction, are all areas agnostic to electoral systems which New Zealand, which has a tendency to focus on short-termism, can benefit from.  

How did the visit change your perceptions of China?

Visiting IM Motors EV company in Shanghai

Shalini: This trip definitely changed my perspective on China. I was amazed by how advanced China is and how much emphasis they place on promoting their national brands to boost their economy.

I also assumed that people in China might not be as welcoming, but I was pleasantly surprised. I had the chance to meet and interact with some incredibly warm and helpful people.

Max: Reflecting on my entire trip, I think I have deeper, richer, in some ways a fuller yet more complicated understanding of China. 

Without mincing my words, I think China is genuinely a colossal force in today's world – that much is undeniable. The scale of its achievements, challenges, and ambitions is matched only by the complexity of its social, economic, and political landscape.

We will publish an article from Max later this month that more fully develops his thoughts on the Shanghai Hui.

The Asia New Zealand Foundation Leadership Network equips the next generation of Kiwi leaders to thrive in Asia. We provide members with the connections, knowledge and confidence to lead New Zealand’s future relationship with the region.