On August 13, Counselor Tang Jun was invited to Victoria University of Wellington to deliver a speech at the launching ceremony of the Wellington Institute of Zhengzhou University. Vice-Chancellor Professor Nick Smith attended and addressed the event, which was also joined by more than 30 faculty and staff representatives from both universities.

 Counselor Tang congratulated the two universities on achieving this milestone and noted that, under the strategic guidance of the leaders of both countries, China–New Zealand educational exchanges and cooperation enjoy broad prospects for development. She affirmed that the Embassy is willing to continue supporting the two universities in carrying out broader and deeper cooperation in education and scientific research, so as to strengthen the foundation of people-to-people exchanges and contribute to the friendship between China and New Zealand.

Vice-Chancellor Smith recalled his experiences accompanying Prime Minister Luxon on a visit to China in June 2025 and his visit to Zhengzhou University in October 2024. He highly commended China’s rapid development and strong emphasis on education, and stated that the two universities would leverage the joint institute to cultivate talents with a global vision, promote bilateral cooperation in teaching and research, and enhance mutual understanding and friendship between the peoples of the two countries.