From October 22 to 24, Ms. Li Xiaolin, President of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), led a delegation to visit New Zealand. On October 23, President Li had a friendly meeting in Auckland with Mr. Dave Bromwich, National President of the New Zealand China Friendship Society (NZCFS), Mr. George Andrews, Vice President and Mr. Deng Li, Honorary President of NZCFS. China’s Ambassador Mr. Wang Lu Tong, Consul General in Auckland Ms. Xu Erwen, Deputy Consul General Ms. Song Chenmao and Cultural Consul Mr. Zhang Heqing also attended the meeting.

President Li noted that 2017 is the 120th anniversary of the birth of Rewi Alley, the eminent New Zealander who founded NZCFS. It is also the 90th anniversary of his first arrival in China and the 30th anniversary of his death. Rewi Alley was an old friend of the Chinese people and a great internationalist fighter. He devoted his whole life to the cause of the Chinese people’s liberation as well as that of the socialist construction of China. The Chinese people will always remember his contribution and will hold a series of activities in memory of him.

Ambassador Wang said the purpose of the commemoration of Rewi Alley is to let the younger generation of China and New Zealand learn about the glorious deeds he did in his life, so that they can inherit and carry forward his spirit of internationalism with selfless dedication for forging a solid foundation of a everlasting friendship between the two countries and peoples.

President Bromwich noted that NZCFS will always follow the path created by Rewi Alley and is committed to the promotion of the cause of friendship between the peoples of New Zealand and China. NZCFS will take the important historical opportunity next year to hold a series of activities to commemorate the eminent pioneer and educate the younger generation, so as to be a friendship bridge linking the peoples of New Zealand and China.