Ambassador sees success in China/NZ relationship

Chinese Ambassador Chen Mingming

How he got the job?

The career diplomat was posted to Wellington in 2001. "When I came the China-New Zealand relationship was still symbolic rather than substantial - I feel privileged to have witnessed the transformation of China-NZ ties."

High spot:

President Hu Jintao's visit to New Zealand last October. The four-day visit was one of Hu's first overseas visits since becoming leader. It "set the stage" for closer economic relations between New Zealand and China.

Previous career:

Deputy director general of the Chinese Foreign Ministry's Department of North American and Oceanian Affairs, the apex of a stellar 14-year period primarily dealing with the China-US relationship.

Career highlights:

A posting to Washington DC as first secretary at the Chinese Embassy during a time of much turmoil in the US-China relationship "but at the same time trade soared to a double-digit rate" and the opportunity to act as interpreter for some of China's key figures like Deng Xiaoping, father of modern China.

Early Life:

A Red Guard during China's Cultural Revolution - like most of his peers, Chen quit and was posted to a state farm in Northern Manchuria after his father was denounced as a "capitalist roader". He still values his farming experience for giving him an insight into the life Chinese peasants lead. Then sent to learn English at the Beijing Foreign Languages University, putting him on the road to a diplomatic career.

Fun spot:

A farm stay where he experienced "real NZ life" and a hangi at New Year's Eve.

Protest factor:

As Beijing's representative, Chen frequently has to field protests by groups ranging from Falun Gong to advocates for Taiwanese democracy. "The firm adherence to the One China policy is a critical pillar in the relationship" between China and New Zealand.

His goal?

To ensure successful trade negotiations between China and New Zealand. "I hope the negotiations will lead to the first free trade agreement between China and a developed country."