New Zealand's former Prime Minister Jenny Shipley has described her journeys through China as an exciting culinary and cultural adventure, praising the diversity of Chinese cuisine and the deeper connections it fosters among people.
Shipley, who has visited China more than 100 times over the past 30 years, makes no secret of her love for Chinese food. In an exclusive interview with China Media Group (CMG) that aired on Friday, she said she is always impressed by the sheer variety of food across the land and by how resourcefully Chinese people make the most of local ingredients.
"I've been very lucky to travel widely in China, and it is genuinely an adventure. The different cuisines of different areas—so many chilies that I can hardly breathe, and so much corn in the north—I enjoy that type," she said. "Of course, the Chinese are very capable at using almost anything that's there. And I often say to people: don't lose the old Chinese cuisines."
Her remarks come at a time when Chinese culinary traditions are gaining increasing appreciation on the global stage. For Shipley, food is not only about taste—it's also about storytelling and companionship.
When asked about her personal favorites, Shipley laughed and found it hard to choose.
"Oh, how could you choose? I love the dumplings. I like food and context. I've had many beautiful meals in China with wonderful people, but I've also understood more about where they are and what their experience has been. So it's not only the food—it's the food in the context in which we've been able to share each other's company," she said.
Former New Zealand PM praises China’s culinary diversity, cultural depth
