On January 25, New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Ambassador Wang Xiaolong addressed at the opening ceremony of the Chinese New Year Festival and Market Day in Auckland. Mr Chen Shijie, Chinese Consul General in Auckland, Hon Carmel Sepuloni, Deputy Leader of the Labour Party, His Worship Wayne Brown, Mayor of Auckland, several Cabinet Ministers, Members of Parliament, and local community leaders attended the event.
In his address, Ambassador Wang elaborated on the positive role played by the Spring Festival in promoting global cultural exchanges and mutual understanding. He reviewed China’s achievements over the past year in further deepening reform to advance Chinese modernization, highlighting the significant opportunities China has brought to the world. He noted that China and New Zealand celebrated the 10th anniversary of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership last year, maintaining close high-level engagements. President Xi Jinping met with Prime Minister Luxon for the first time in Lima on the sidelines of APEC meetings, and Premier Li Qiang paid a successful visit to New Zealand. Bilateral trade and economic cooperation has kept a steady momentum despite global headwinds, while people-to-people exchanges have unlocked new growth opportunities. He emphasized that the evolving China-New Zealand relationship has injected stability and certainty into the world.
(Photo by Vicky Lu)
Ambassador Wang commended the contributions of the Chinese communities in New Zealand to local economic and social development and bilateral relationship. He expressed gratitude to the New Zealand government and friends from all walks of life for their long-standing support for the Chinese community. He called for continued efforts to create a favourable and non-discriminatory environment for the Chinese community to live, study and work in New Zealand.
(Photo by Vicky Lu)
Looking ahead, Ambassador Wang stated that China looks forward to working with New Zealand to implement the latest agreements reached by leaders of both countries, build on the positive momentum of high-level exchanges, deepen cooperation across fields in our relationship, strengthen the bond between our peoples, and jointly cultivate a relationship rooted in mutual respect and inclusiveness, focused on cooperation for mutual benefit and shared development.
(Photo by Vicky Lu)
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon praised the vibrant and passionate Chinese community, thanking them for their hard work and active contributions to New Zealand’s economic, social, and cultural development.
Hon Carmel Sepuloni acknowledged the progress in bilateral relations and, on behalf of the Labour Party, expressed gratitude to the Chinese community. She emphasized that the Chinese New Year is a special time for family and friends to come together and give thanks for the blessings of the previous year. She also extended festive greetings to all attendees.
Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown thanked the Chinese community for their contributions to mutually beneficial cooperation, particularly to Auckland’s development. He fondly recalled his visit to China last year and called for further enhancing China-New Zealand cultural exchanges and facilitating people-to-people connectivity.
The Chinese Embassy and the Consulate-General in Auckland joined the event, setting up several diverse and interactive stalls that showcased the multifaceted China-New Zealand relationship. The exhibition also provided consular service consultations. The event was bustling with enthusiastic participation. Prime Minister Luxon toured the stalls and engaged with attendees and staff for photos and conversations.
(Photo by Vicky Lu)
(Photo by Vicky Lu)