Mark Hitchcock, general manager of New Zealand oral care brand Grin Natural, who is now busy working on the company's presence in the upcoming CIIE in November, told Xinhua that the Chinese market represented about one third of its export volume and was growing fast.

We are hoping that by featuring our flagship products at the CIIE, the Chinese consumers will get to know more about our brand and products," said Leo Liu, Grin's co-founder, who was already in Shanghai to prepare for the CIIE.

Fiona Acheson, regional director in Greater China of the government body New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE), is working closely with the Grin Natural team in Shanghai to support the company in exploring market opportunities in the CIIE.

"The upgrade of the China-New Zealand FTA will improve logistics efficiency and cut other operational costs, which in turn creates more value for businesses," said Leo Liu, general manager for China of Grin Natural Inc, an Auckland-based oral care brand.

When Nan returns, Zongzi looks and feels great, and is waiting for her owner to come back with a big feline grin.

When asked if his daughter might also join the BYD family, he flashed a "Happy Dad" grin, "You never know.