On February 19, the New Zealand China Friendship Society (NZCFS) held a banquet for the 2022 Chinese New Year of the Tiger in Wellington. Ambassador Wang Xiaolong sent a congratulatory message to members of the NZCFS and friends in New Zealand. Nearly 100 people attended the event, including Dave Bromwich, the national President of the NZCFS, Meng Foon, the Race Relations Commissioner, representatives of the National Party and local communities.

In his letter, Ambassador Wang notes that in the past year, despite the challenges and disruptions caused by COVID, China and New Zealand have stood together to actively implement the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, and pushed for new achievements in exchanges and cooperation across the board, which have brought more tangible benefits to the two peoples. The continuous development of China-New Zealand relations cannot be achieved without the valuable support and unremitting efforts of the various communities in New Zealand including NZCFS. All the positive contribution to strengthening friendship and cooperation between two countries is highly appreciated.

Ambassador Wang points out that the year 2022 marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and New Zealand. The bilateral Free Trade Agreement Upgrade Protocol was officially ratified by both sides, which will enter into force on April 7 2022, and the New Zealand athletes have won both first ever gold and silver medal in Winter Olympics for New Zealand at Beijing. All of the above adds more “firsts” to the already robust bilateral relationship and signals a good start of the Golden Jubilee Celebrations.

Ambassador Wang emphasizes that China is ready to work more closely with all New Zealand communities to explore more cooperation opportunities. He believes that by carrying forward the internationalism promoted by Rewi Alley, and through concerted efforts, China-New Zealand relations will have a more promising future, and friends from NZCFS have the wisdom and ability to help further enhance the understanding and friendship between the two peoples.

In their speeches, Dave Bromwich and the Wellington branch President Chris Lipscombe thank Ambassador Wang and the Chinese Embassy for their support, and notes that since the foundation of the NZCFS in 1952, the purpose and goal has been ‘To clear the mists of ignorance and provide accurate information leading to mutual understanding and mutual respect between our two peoples’. When the People's Republic of China was just founded, the NZCFS encouraged New Zealanders to enhance their understanding of China and promoted the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. The NZCFS will continue to take promoting mutual trust as its mission and make greater contribution to the development of bilateral relations.