Fieldays, the Southern Hemisphere's largest agricultural event in New Zealand is being held from June 10 to 13, attracting more than 100,000 farmers to learn about the latest technologies - including a wide range of heavy machinery made in China.
Trade between China and New Zealand is thriving despite global turmoil, hitting a record 42 billion New Zealand dollars. Now, the two sides are turning to smart farming technology to take their agricultural partnership even further as farming is the backbone of New Zealand's economy.
As Chinese-made tractors are increasingly popular, the Fieldays has become an international marketplace where politicians and diplomats come to promote the China–New Zealand trading relationship, especially in agriculture.
Shandong Province is one of China's largest agricultural producers. It is taking the opportunity to showcase some of its produce – and make new connections.
"We welcome investment, and we are open to exploring mutually beneficial opportunities in trade, education, innovation and business," said Geoff Taylor, Hamilton deputy mayor.
This year's event saw more Chinese exhibitors than ever before – and they range from heavy equipment companies to solar power suppliers – and smart farming businesses that will help New Zealand farmers become even more efficient.
Chinese companies like CHC Navigation provide remote-controlled systems for precision farming, and Fulinks uses cloud computing and artificial intelligence to promote sustainable farming.
"Apart from some of the state-of-art technologies that might be applied here, including drones, including AI technology, in some of the traditional sectors they can provide some cost effective solutions," said Wang Xiaolong, Chinese ambassador to New Zealand.
China's new technology is being welcomed in New Zealand, though it is already one of the world's most efficient farming nations.
"Tech is the future, anyway you can improve what you're doing and make yourself more efficient. Embrace the tech, we've got satellite coverage across the whole country now and it just opens up more opportunities for all kinds of really, really great technology," said Steve Chappell, programme manager at the New Zealand National Fieldays Society.
A large delegation from Shandong Province has also taken part in a special Agricultural Cooperation and Exchange conference to promote trade with New Zealand.
"China's high-quality development and high-level opening up will create vast cooperation opportunities for countries around the world, including New Zealand," said Chen Shijie, consul general of China in Auckland.
And the aim next year is to have a dedicated Chinese Pavilion at the Fieldays to stimulate even more trade.
China-New Zealand trade hits record high as smart farming deepens ties
