Tong reports on China dealings
Southland District Mayor Gary Tong has written a report to councillors about his relationship with the Chao Shan Association, whose chairman was under intense media scrutiny last year.
Tong, who has been to China twice, has written a report for a council committee meeting on Wednesday updating councillors about his relationship with the Chao Shan Association of New Zealand.
The Chao Shan Association represents Chinese immigrants who have settled in New Zealand and are doing business in the country.
Tong has been involved in a number of formal and informal meetings with Yikun Zhang, the chairman of the Chao Shan Association of New Zealand, since 2016.
The meetings had been arranged by the men to promote a friendship between the Southland District and Chao Shan Association of New Zealand, Tong’s report says.
‘‘Mr Zhang has recognised the number of Chinese nationals and Chinese New Zealanders visiting and living in Southland and has determined there could be more done to support Southland,’’ Tong’s report says.
Zhang’s vision was to promote Southland to south China as a place to visit while on holiday, a place to educate their children and a place to form export relationships around primary industry, in particular aquaculture. ‘‘To date no formal arrangements have been made,’’ Tong’s report says.
However, he did connect Zhang with an aquaculture supplier in Southland to provide seafood to an Auckland restaurant.
Tong has made two visits to China, both funded by the Chao Shan Association of New Zealand, and met local and central government officials and members of the Chao Shan Association of New Zealand.
Included in the discussions were meetings with representatives of Shantou City, south China local politicians, to discuss the possibility of further friendship based on a sister city relationship. Tong expected to continue the relationship with Zhang and the Chao Shan Association while investigating the possibility of further friendship with Shantou City.
His report says there are people in New Zealand who are uncomfortable with relationships being formed with China.
‘‘Sister city relationships by other councils support the fact these relationships are far from being uncomfortable.’’
Tong, when rung yesterday, said nothing had been decided in regards to any potential sister city relationship. Shantou City had approached him about the potential for a sister city relationship, he said.