Capital signs up Chinese firms
TWO Chinese development groups have signed up to support a string of major Wellington projects, including the convention centre, Shelly Bay and new hotels in the city.
Meanwhile, the mayor of Beijing wants to establish an annual football fixture between the two capitals.
On Thursday, Beijing construction firm Fu Wah Properties and Beijing Construction Engineering Group (BCEG) signed a memorandum of understanding with Wellington City Council after meetings with its representatives and business leaders.
A group of civic and business leaders were in China this week in a bid to attract investment into the capital. The delegation attended the inaugural New Zealand-China Mayoral Forum in Xiamen before travelling to Beijing.
The group includes Wellington Company managing director Ian Cassels, Willis Bond director David McGuinness, Port Nicholson Block chief executive Jason Fox and Morrison & Co chairman Rob Morrison.
Projects under discussion with Chinese investors include the proposed runway extension of Wellington Airport, the building of a new convention centre and hotel and the redevelopment of Shelly Bay.
Fu Wah president Chiu Yung said discussions had started during a previous visit to Wellington. At a ceremony to sign the agreement, Chiu said completion of the projects would attract more international tourism and thus more demand for hotel rooms in the city.
‘‘I look forward to being part of the tourism element of Wellington and I extend my gratitude to Wellington Mayor Celia WadeBrown, who brought a brilliant delegation of business representatives to Beijing.’’
Fu Wah properties chief engineer Henry Lau Rics said he looked forward to working with Wellington. ‘‘It’s a beautiful city with lots of opportunities and we can see the [Chinese] government further supporting us in Wellington.’’
BCEG president Dai Binbin said his company worked with the best private sector entrepreneurs in China and asked Wellington to be confident in his business. In 2013, it constructed the Manchester’s City Airport project in Britain.
The Wellington delegation had impressed his investors and fostered confidence in the business people of Wellington, Dai said. ‘‘This is just the beginning. We are interested in every project, there are a lot of other things to be done.’’
Businesses in China were encouraged to look for opportunities abroad and the Chinese Government would work in support of the projects they were involved in, he said.
Beijing Mayor Wang Anshun, who also met with the Wellington delegation on Thursday, said he would be visiting New Zealand’s capital next year to promote the sister city ‘‘friendship’’.
Wang said BCEG and another company, Beijing Capital Group, would give financial support to the creation of a Chinese garden on the Wellington waterfront.
He also announced his support for an annual soccer match between the Wellington Phoenix and two teams from Beijing.
The ‘‘Capital Cup Match’’ would take be held in Wellington and Beijing in alternating years.
‘‘This was a good suggestion [from the meetings] and I believe it is a valuable opportunity, where both teams can learn and improve . . . we can make it happen.’’
Property developer Ian Cassels said the meetings were positive and the Beijing businesses were open to assisting the development of the Wellington ambition.
‘‘They have strong intentions and I expect that will grow.’’
McGuiness said the investors were looking at options for the convention centre and hotel, which his business was involved with.
Jo Coughlan, chairwoman of Wellington City Council’s economic growth committee, said there had been encouraging discussions about major developments, which were likely to pave the way for a productive relationship. ‘‘It is a significant step forward . . . a lot of water has yet to go under the bridge but it’s heading in the right direction.’’
The Beijing businesses were interested in the airport hotel, convention centre and a Shelly Bay hotel and apartments.
However, Fox, who was leading the Shelly Bay project, said it was still early days.