On Nov 21, 2014, Chinese President Xi Jinping and John Key, prime minister of New Zealand, unveiled Yili Group's Oceania Production Base in New Zealand. With a total investment of 3 billion yuan ($479.7 million), the project covers a range of fields from packaging, processing, deep processing to R&D. A strategic cooperation agreement was signed between Yili and Lincoln University of New Zealand, the only university specializing in agriculture and food in the southern hemisphere.

On Nov 25, 2014, Yili Group launched the Oceania Production Base's first phrase in Waimate, in the South Island of New Zealand. A production life with capacity of 470,000 tons was officially put into operation. The base included four projects, including raw milk deep processing, UHT (ultra-high temperature processing) liquid milk, milk powder manufacturing and packaging.

President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister John Key of New Zealand inaugurate Yili Group's Oceania Production Base on Nov 21 in Waimate, New Zealand.[Photo/chinadaily.com.cn]

Edited by Michael Thai