Daniel Zhang of Alibaba. "Given the business focus of Mr Zhang's programme, at this stage he is not scheduled to meet any ministers," she said. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Trade Minister David Parker are also scheduled to speak at that event. In 2016, Alibaba and NZTE signed a memorandum of understanding for discussions to strengthen trade between the two nations in a ceremony overseen by then prime minister John Key and Alibaba executive chairman Jack Ma. Mr Zhang's New Zealand trip is hot on the heels of Mr Ma's brief visit in February, when he checked on a local farm investment in the Waikato region.

Source: Otago Daily Times April 26, 2018 17:03 UTC