Thanks for the invitation by the SCIO. It‘s an honor for me to attend the 2016 Forum on the Development of Tibet, representing David Haslingden, the Chairman of NHNZ. It‘s also a pleasure to discuss with honorable guests about Tibet development and future.

New Zealand has a very special history with China, especially the Tibet region. Sir Edmund Percival Hillary , a New Zealand mountaineer, explorer and philanthropist,became the first climbers to reach the summit of Mount Everest, On 29 May 1953.Through his success, the Kiwi started to learn about Tibet and got to know China better.

NHNZ‘s co-production in China started in 1998, when it made a one hour special program about Tibet—Tibet Wheel of Life; Change of Wind, under the

commission from SCIO. This documentary introduced the real Tibetan history, culture and human life to the western audience with a westernized story telling technique. It presented an authentic picture of Tibet that greatly helps dissolve misunderstanding from the western world. It was broadcast at Nat Geo in many nations including the US, Europe, and Asia by channels.

Till today, NHNZ has been working in China for more than a decade. It‘s now one of the largest International production companies working in China and telling China stories. Through our cameras, the world has got to see China from different perspectives. For example, China From Above. It‘s not only an award winning premium program, but also it has won the hearts of millions.

Tibet is a best example of diversity in terms of culture, as well as wild life. With modern aspects mixed in the traditional Tibetan life, Tibet is rich with fascinating stories. Outsiders are amazed by the old trade route and the mysterious religion arts, but also they want to know more about the region‘s growth, such as the new train station in the once sealed up land and the hi-tech geothermal power-plant. Under the China-New Zealand co-production treaty, with the guidance of SCIO, CICC and NHNZ will together produce a new series about Tibet China Horizon. We‘ll discover how Tibet is changing amid economic growth; how the diversity is reserved amid the flooding modern cultures.

Back in 2015, Otago Daily Times carried a report by Philip Somerville about Tibet after traveling with foreign media team. He wrote: "Here was a bustling city with a population rapidly approaching one million. Here was growth and development roaring along at an annual rate of 12%"The report sparked a lot of interests among New Zealanders back then.

But I believe documentaries could do better. NHNZ favors factual television because its authenticity helps it reach an audience from different cultures. Factual programs could build a bridge of understanding across nations. Documentaries about China are messengers for Chinese culture. They can help people understand the real China and the real Tibet. With NHNZ‘s global prestige in factual television, its focus on Chinese productions also encourage western producers and broadcasters to pay attention to China.

Thanks again for the invitation.

(KJohn Crawford, General Manager of NHNZ ,Ltd)