NZ China Council at Global China Connection Canterbury

GCC recently ran a competition, sponsored by Alibaba New Zealand, called “See Me Live” where groups of students worked with local SMEs to prepare the best recorded online promotional video to promote the company’s products. From these promotional videos, five groups were then selected whom each did a live stream pitching their partnered SME to an audience at the Zhejiang Gongshang campus  in China.  Over 1000 Chinese students took part in judging their favourite live stream.

In addition to these live streams, students were presented the opportunity by Alibaba’s New Zealand Business Development Director, Pier Smulders, to submit a strategy report on how these SME’s could best leverage E – Commerce in their respective China strategy.

Council Executive Director Stephen Jacobi joined Canterbury Vice Chancellor Dr Rod Carr and Chinese Consul General Jin Zhijiang at the awards evening for “See Me Live” on 2 June.

In his remarks, Stephen said that the opportunities for New Zealand in China were “without limits” provided kiwis could develop the right skills to be successful in China. He praised GCC and its student leadership as an example of what is needed to ensure New Zealand makes the most of the China opportunity.

GCC President Mathew Birt said the Council’s sponsorship of GCC was vital to ensure it remained relevant to students aspiring to work with and in China and that GCC had the leadership to sustain its programme.

The live stream winners of “See Me Live” were Eddie Commons, Neranga Jayaweera and Sophie Eggleton representing Organic Initiative (Oi), Jack O’Halloran and Elise Wilson representing Peak to Plateau and Oliver Tyro for Kings Truffles.

The Alibaba prize was awarded to Dan Chan, representing Hanmer Springs Thermal Hotpools & Spa. Dan’s prize will see him visit Alibaba’s headquarters in Hangzhou.

More information about GCC Canterbury can be found at https://www.gcccanterbury.co.nz/