On 15 February, Ambassador Wang Xiaolong attended the ‘Festival of Spring’ Chinese Lunar New Year Gala Night in Wellington. Nearly 1500 people joined the event, including Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Hon Paul Goldsmith, MPs, City Councilors, and members and friends from Chinese communities. 

Hon Paul Goldsmith extended New Year greetings, and said that New Zealanders are getting more and more interested in Chinese traditional festivals like Chinese New Year. It is a great pleasure to celebrate the festival together.

Ambassador Wang expressed best wishes for the Spring Festival and  acknowledged the artists for coming a long way to perform in Wellington. He said that civilizations will be all the richer by mutual appreciation and mutual learning. In Chinese folklore, the high-flying dragon symbolizes strength, wisdom and achievements. The appearance of the dragon is a combination of multiple features, epitomizing the harmonious coexistence of different beings and civilizations. In such an auspicious year, China and New Zealand will mark the 10th anniversary of the establishment of a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. China stands ready to work with New Zealand to carry forward the spirit of the dragon, enhance exchanges and mutual understanding and take bilateral relationship to the next level.

The show consists of classic songs, folk dance, traditional Peking Opera, instrumental playing, stunning acrobatic performances, which vividly presented the profound charm of Chinese culture and was warmly welcomed by the audience with bursts of applause and continuous cheers.

(The images in the article are provided by Vicky Lu, Meng Tao, and Ye Yong)