On 1st September, the Opening Ceremony of the New Zealand Chinese Language Week (NZCLW) 2025 was held at the New Zealand Parliament. Ambassador Wang Xiaolong was invited to deliver a speech. New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, several ministers, Members of Parliament, NZCLW Trustees, members of diplomatic corps, and representatives from the Chinese language education community sent congratulatory video messages. Chair of the NZCLW Trust Jo Coughlan, National Party MP Nancy Lu, and Co-Founder of Weta Workshop Sir Richard Taylor also delivered speeches. Over 180 guests attended the opening ceremony.

Ambassador Wang noted that over the past 11 years, NZCLW has become an important platform for people-to-people exchanges between China and New Zealand, especially for fostering connections among our young people. It has not only promoted Chinese language education in New Zealand, but also played an important and fundamental role in the development of bilateral relations. He hoped that more friends from New Zealand and other countries would learn Chinese and visit China to gain a deeper understanding of the real China and the Chinese people, thereby dispelling misunderstandings, strengthening mutual trust, and contributing to the sustained, sound, and stable growth of the bilateral relationship.

At the opening ceremony, Ambassador Wang, Nancy Lu, and Jo Coughlan jointly presented certificates to this year’s recipients of the NZCLW “Chinese Super Star” “Youth Ambassador” and “Outstanding Chinese Teacher Award”.