Street talk
New Zealand
Ivan Kinsella, embassy staff
A1: - The rate of economic development, especially urbanization, I have seen since I first came to China as a student in 1977. The huge changes in the openness of the people and knowledge of the outside world.
The modesty of ordinary people.
A2: The sense of optimism about China's future and confidence that the next generation will lead a better life.
A3: I know many brands, but Alibaba has to be top of my list for its size and reach internationally.
A4: Our relationship is very strong and increasingly broadly based, not only in agricultural trade but new areas such as tourism and investment. In the last couple of years China has been the largest source of new direct investment into New Zealand. President Xi's visit next week is recognition of the strength of those ties.
Scott Nelson
A1: Very rich, material culture, lovely friendly people.
A2: A lot of people.
A3: Lenovo, we don't really know big brands, however, everything is made in China.
A4: Things seem pretty good. I have found New Zealand can be quite racist towards Chinese, I think this is simply because NZ is not very multicultural, and the kiwi people are still trying to come to terms with other cultures. It would help if the governments would make it easier to get a visa.
Fiji
Grace Cagilaba, manager secretary of Plantation Island Resort
A1: Access to cheaper options of consumer electronics, access to funding for project aid for public utilities such as roads and hospitals and an untapped market for tourism in Fiji.
A2: My strongest impression of China would have to be communism.
A3: Chinese brands famous in Fiji are Huawei and Lenovo.
A4: I think bilateral cooperation would be a very productive and beneficial endeavor for both countries, not only commercially but culturally as well.