On June 26, 2025, the Chinese Embassy in New Zealand held a reception for New Zealanders having studied in China at Victoria University of Wellington. Ambassador Wang Xiaolong attended the event and delivered remarks. Over 90 guests were present, including Director-General at the New Zealand Ministry of Education John Brook, Vice-Chancellor of Victoria University of Wellington Professor Nic Smith, former New Zealand Ambassadors to China Chris Elder, Tony Browne, and Clare Fearnley, as well as representatives of New Zealand alumni from various sectors who had studied in China. Minister Counsellor Zhang Xinyu and Counsellor Tang Jun from the Chinese Embassy also attended the reception.
Photo by Vicky Lu
Ambassador Wang expressed his sincere appreciation to the New Zealand Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Education New Zealand, and Victoria University of Wellington for their strong support for the event. He noted that Prime Minister Christopher Luxon's recent visit to China was of great significance, with fruitful outcomes and far-reaching impact. Leadership diplomacy and high-level exchanges have charted the course for the further development of China–New Zealand relations and for delivering greater benefits to the peoples of both countries. During his meeting with Prime Minister Luxon, President Xi Jinping stressed the importance of enhancing exchanges in education, culture, youth, people-to-people ties, and sub-national interactions, with the goal of enriching the substance of bilateral relationship. Education cooperation has long been a key pillar of practical collaboration between China and New Zealand, and was a major highlight of the recent visit. In his keynote speech at Fudan University, Prime Minister Luxon emphasized that the heart of education is people. Over the years, the long-standing, stable, and productive education cooperation between China and New Zealand has cultivated a large number of outstanding talents—among them, the alumni present at tonight’s reception, and all of the “Chiwis” who have studied in each other’s countries.
Ambassador Wang paid high tribute to the former New Zealand ambassadors to China for their contributions to the growth of bilateral relations, and thanked alumni from all walks of life for their efforts in promoting friendship between the two nations. He expressed hope that the younger generation will look to their predecessors as role models, draw on their deep understanding of both China and New Zealand, and help more New Zealanders better understand China—contributing to the sustained, stable, and healthy development of China–New Zealand relations.
Photo by Vicky Lu
Director-General John Brook noted that during his recent visit to China, Prime Minister Luxon made a special visit to Fudan University and announced that New Zealand will serve as the Country of Honour at the 26th China Annual Conference for International Education. This fully reflects the important role of educational exchange and cooperation in the broader New Zealand-China relationship. He emphasized that the institutionalized education partnership between the two countries is long-standing and robust, with practical cooperation at all levels yielding solid results. New Zealand, he added, is ready to work with China to further deepen collaboration and fully implement the outcomes and consensus reached by the two leaders.
Vice-Chancellor Nic Smith shared his experience accompanying Prime Minister Luxon on the visit to China, expressing admiration for the country’s rapid development and dynamic vitality. He remarked that this reception, centered on education, serves as a bridge connecting the people of both nations, enhancing mutual understanding and friendship. He also expressed pride in Victoria University of Wellington’s close partnerships with Chinese institutions and looked forward to expanding and deepening mutually beneficial cooperation to further contribute to the development of New Zealand–China relations.
Photo by Vicky Lu
Tony Browne, a representative of the senior generation of New Zealand alumni who studied in China, recalled the early years of New Zealand students going to China for study. He emphasized the importance of two-way student exchanges between the two countries, noting that studying in China allows New Zealand students to gain in-depth knowledge of China and its culture, while equipping them with skills to better serve New Zealand’s development. This, he said, lays a solid foundation of public goodwill for enhancing mutual understanding and fostering long-term friendly cooperation between the peoples of both countries.
Simon Appleton, CEO of East Bridge New Zealand and a representative of middle-aged alumni, shared his experiences of campus life in China and entrepreneurship in New Zealand. He highlighted that his study-abroad experience provided valuable opportunities for starting his own business and expressed hope that the current New Zealand-China youth exchange program implemented by his company will build bridges for people-to-people exchanges between the two nations.
Billie Dufty, a student from Wanganui High School and representative of the younger generation of alumni, shared her unforgettable experiences studying in China. She described China as her second home, where the food and language have given her special emotional connections. She expressed the hope that more young New Zealanders will learn Chinese to deepen mutual understanding between the peoples of both countries.
Photo by Meng Tao and Li Bo
At the reception, four winners of the 2025 “Chinese Bridge” Chinese language competition were invited to perform a series of captivating programs. Nate Simes, a student from Victoria University of Wellington, performed a piano medley of Chinese songs including Liuyang River, Jasmine Flower, and New Butterfly Lovers, skillfully capturing the beauty of Chinese music with his agile fingers. Jessie Strong, a student from Wellington Girls’ College, performed the Chinese dance Big Fish, gracefully wielding red fans and vividly expressing the essence and charm of traditional Chinese dance. Isabella Boyer, a student from Samuel Marsden Collegiate School, sang the Chinese song At Least I Still Have You with rich emotion, demonstrating her strong command of the Chinese language and vocal talent. Billie Dufty performed a ballet adaptation of The White-Haired Girl, blending Chinese and Western dance elements in a performance that left a lasting impression.
The performances were met with enthusiastic applause and warm audience response. At the close of the reception, all guests joined together in singing Auld Lang Syne, wishing for enduring friendship between China and New Zealand and lasting goodwill between their peoples for generations to come.
Photo by Meng Tao and Li Bo