Forum shows we're getting serious about Asia

By FRAN O'SULLIVAN

Two hundred hand-picked members of NZ Inc will try to revitalise New Zealand's relationships with the world's fastest-growing region at a "Seriously Asia" forum this week.

The "Seriously Asia" project is the brainchild of Helen Clark and Asia 2000 Foundation chairman Sir Dryden Spring.

Goals include to rethink the concept of New Zealand security, find ways to engage China, ensure all universities refer to Asia in their mission statements, encourage Asian communities to participate in local government, appoint a commissioner for international students, post journalists to Asia, invite Asian firms to investigate investment opportunities, and develop an internship programme for young New Zealanders in Asian countries.

Among the Asian players invited to Parliament on Wednesday are Singapore's deputy Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, former United Nations General Assembly president Dr Han Seung-soo from Korea, Ambassador Hiroaki Fujii from the Japan Foundation, Brunei's Timothy Ong co-chair of the Edge Asia Inc, and China expert David Mahon.

Talks will cover political and security; trade, tourism and investment; culture and society; and sustainable development and innovation. The project is funded by the Government and private sponsors.