Remarks by Ambassador Wang Xiaolong at the Opening
Ceremony of Chinese New Year Festival and Market Day
February 14, 2026, Auckland
Rt Hon Christopher Luxon, Prime Minister of New Zealand,
Mr David Tai, Chairman of the Auckland Chinese Community Centre,
Hon Carmel Sepuloni, Representative of the Labour Party,
Deputy Mayor Desley Simpson,
Hon Ministers,
Members of Parliament,
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
特别是在座的各位侨领、华侨华人同胞们，
Kia ora! 大家早上好！
It is my fourth consecutive year joining you here in Auckland for the opening ceremony of the Chinese New Year Festival and Market Day. Each year, the Showground here is filled with joy and celebration, and the rich traditions of the Chinese New Year on display never fail to warm my heart and ease my feeling of homesickness.
I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere appreciation to the Auckland Chinese Community Centre for organising this wonderful event and for the kind invitation. Through you, I would also like to extend my warmest New Year greetings and best wishes to the Chinese community and friends from all walks of life across New Zealand. Happy New Year of the Horse!
The Year of the Horse symbolises vitality, perseverance, and endeavour, while also heralding change and progress. In the year ahead, the world, China, New Zealand, and our bilateral relations will all face a shifting environment—one that presents both challenges and, above all, abundant opportunities.
Globally, we are witnessing accelerating changes unseen in a century. In particular, the rapid advancement of science and technology is opening up new and unprecedented possibilities for humanity. At the same time, the international order founded upon international law, and the international system with the United Nations at its core, are facing severe challenges. Against this backdrop, a growing number of countries have come to recognise that only through extensive consultation, joint contribution, and shared benefits can the international community achieve lasting peace, prosperity, and sustainable development.
China-wise, the successful completion of the 14th Five-Year Plan has brought steady growth in economic strength, comprehensive national power, and international influence. During this period, reform and innovation have advanced across the board, with notable progress in improving living standards, promoting green transition, and advancing structural adjustments to address deep-rooted economic challenges.
As we move forward with renewed momentum in the Year of the Horse, China will soon embark on the implementation of the 15th Five-Year Plan. Over the next five years, we will continue to fully apply the new paradigm of innovative, coordinated, green, open, and shared development. By accelerating the entrenchment of this new development paradigm, leveraging the vast potential of our super-sized market, and advancing high-standard opening up, China will strive to achieve higher-quality development outcomes. As we take confident and steady steps toward the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, China’s sustained development will continue to generate new opportunities for countries around the world, including New Zealand.
Likewise, New Zealand has entered a critical stage of structural upgrading and development. It is encouraging to note that, despite profound changes in the external environment, there prevails a broad-based consensus in New Zealand society recognising the critical role of China and supporting the sustained, healthy, and stable development of China-New Zealand relations. Indeed, regardless of shifts in the international landscape or differences in development stages, a closer bilateral relationship grounded in mutual respect and mutual benefit serves the shared interests of both our countries.
Over the past year, China-New Zealand relations have continued to grow steadily amid global uncertainty. High-level exchanges have remained close and productive, highlighted by the successful visit of Prime Minister Luxon to China and the visit to New Zealand by Chairman Zhao Leji of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress. Ministerial-level exchanges have also increased, helping to give effect to the important consensus reached by our leaders.
Practical cooperation between our two countries has yielded tangible results, including the signing of the Cook Strait ferry agreement and the launch of the Southern Link initiative. Bilateral trade has reached a new historic high in 2025. Meanwhile, people-to-people and cultural exchanges have continued to deepen. Visa-free entry and other facilitation measures have significantly boosted two-way travel, while cooperation in education and tourism has maintained strong momentum. According to recent surveys in China, New Zealand ranks among the most popular overseas destinations for Chinese tourists during the current Spring Festival season.
Looking ahead, China stands ready to work with New Zealand as a friend and a partner to create favourable conditions for sustaining the hard-earned positive momentum in our bilateral relations and achieving new and greater progress in this era of profound change. Through joint efforts, we can and will contribute to the well-being of our peoples, as well as to peace, stability, and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
As an integral part of New Zealand’s multicultural society, the Chinese community has long played a unique and constructive role in promoting friendship between China and New Zealand, and remains a valuable bridge for our bilateral relations. In this spirit, the Chinese government consistently encourages the Chinese community in New Zealand to abide by local laws and regulations, respect local customs, actively integrate into the mainstream society, and work together with other ethnic communities to contribute to New Zealand’s economic and social development. Correspondingly, we trust that governments at all levels in New Zealand will continue to respect and protect the legitimate rights and interests of the Chinese community, and foster an open, inclusive, and non-discriminatory environment for them to work, study, and live in this beautiful country.
The Spring Festival originated in China, but is now celebrated increasingly globally across the world. Each year, people across continents come together during this festive season to share joy, extend blessings, and express hopes for the future. The spirit of harmony, inclusiveness, and coexistence embodied in the Spring Festival is especially valuable in today’s world.
In closing, at this auspicious moment of bidding farewell to the old and welcoming the new, may I once again wish all distinguished guests happiness, good health, and boundless vitality in the Year of the Horse. May China and New Zealand gallop towards a brighter future and enjoy lasting peace and growing prosperity! 给大家提前拜年啦！
Thank you.