Yang Jian: General Debate 
Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume 
Yang Jian: General Debate 
[Sitting date: 27 February 2013. Volume:687;Page:8260. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
Dr JIAN YANG (National) 
: 
 I want to continue the excellent speeches of my National colleagues to say how proud I am to be part of this strong National Government which has been working hard and continues to work hard for New Zealanders. Despite continuing global uncertainties our Government has a strong economic plan: to encourage investment strengthen our economy and boost jobs. We are pressing ahead with a wide range of measures to build a more competitive and productive economy with growth built on the solid foundations of investment exports and savings. 
We remain committed to job creation and the National Government’s track record of creating jobs remains strong. There are many examples. Among them and so strongly opposed by the Opposition is the international convention centre which is projected to generate hundreds of jobs during its construction and afterwards to run the centre. This will encourage more overseas businesses particularly from Australia and China to hold conferences in New Zealand which will generate a tremendous economic benefit to our country. Last month China’s biggest dairy company Inner Mongolia Yili Industrial Group announced plans to spend $214 million building an infant formula plant in South Canterbury. The Inner Mongolia Yili Industrial Group’s investment would create 80 new jobs in New Zealand. Unlike the Opposition parties we in National encourage these types of investments because without more investment we cannot have the jobs and economic growth that our hard-working families and communities need and deserve. 
Likewise we are boosting skills with schemes such as the trades and services academies and Youth Guarantee places. In particular the New Zealand Apprenticeships scheme will ensure our workforce remains competitive. We have been increasing our exports. One of our focuses this year is Asia because there are huge opportunities for New Zealand businesses. For example since 2008 our exports to China have trebled. These include dairy products meat and wool but increasingly non-agricultural areas such as technology and machinery. Our services exports such as education and tourism have also risen. Tourism New Zealand has reported major increases in interest in New Zealand as a premier travel destination as a direct result of exposure from  
The Hobbit 
. Labour and the Greens had opposed the law changes that allowed the movies to be produced here. 
In the next 5 years developing countries in Asia such as China India and ASEAN countries will increase their share of world GDP by nearly 20 percent. We therefore need to seize this opportunity. The year 2012 was the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between New Zealand and China. This important anniversary was celebrated by the Chinese community all over New Zealand. I was privileged to have been able to attend many of these events. It will culminate with the Prime Minister’s visit to China in April. Given the fact that China is our second-largest trading partner it makes sense for us to continue to build on this valuable relationship. The Opposition says no to investment jobs and growth whereas the National-led Government remains committed to encouraging investment strengthening our economy and boosting jobs for New Zealanders. Thank you.