On May 24, the Premiere Night Marking the Launching of the ‘Glamorous New Zealand’, the Filming of ‘Glamorous China’ and the opening of 2016 New Zealand China Film Week is ceremoniously held at Te Papa Museum, in Wellington, New Zealand’s capital city. The event was co-organized by the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television of the People's Republic of China (SAPPRFT), the Ministry for Culture and Heritage of New Zealand, the Chinese Embassy in New Zealand and the New Zealand Film Commission. Nearly 300 guests attended the opening ceremony, including the CPC delegation visiting New Zealand led by Mr Liu Qibao, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee and the head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, Ms. Maggie Barry, Minister of Culture and Heritage of NZ and representatives from the New Zealand community, overseas Chinese community and media.

Ambassador Wang Lutong noted in his speech that the China – New Zealand relationship had entered a new historic ‘golden period’, with China – New Zealand relations becoming a model for China’s relations with developed countries. The New Zealand Film Festival was held in China awhile ago, and the two sides signed a series of film and television cooperation agreements. Today, the Chinese Film Week was launched in New Zealand. The continual positive developments in bilateral cooperation in the film and television sectors reflected the depth and breadth of China – New Zealand relations and bilateral cultural exchanges. Ambassador Wang hoped that bilateral high-level exchanges would encourage closer cultural exchanges. This would continue to strengthen and deepen mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples, laying a solid foundation for the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and New Zealand.

The promotional video for ‘Charming New Zealand’ co-produced by China and New Zealand was played at the opening ceremony, as well as the trailers for six Chinese movies to be shown at the China Film Week. At the end of the ceremony, the head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee Mr Liu Qibao and Minister Barry jointly launched the opening ceremony ball.