CPAFFC Vice-President Jiang Jiang attends launching ceremony of China-New Zealand people-to-people friendship activities

Jin Hanghang

O n March 29， the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and the New Zealand China Friendship Society jointly launched a series of China-New Zealand people-to-people friendship activities in a video meeting. With the theme of “Carrying forward Rewi Alley’s spirit and jointly writing a new chapter of friendship between the two peoples”， the event aimed to commemorate the 50th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between China and New Zealand and the 95th anniversary of the outstanding international friend Rewi Alley’s coming to China.

Jiang Jiang， vice-president of the CPAFFC， and Dave Bromwich， president of the NZCFS， attended the ceremony online and delivered speeches. Wang Xiaolong， China’s ambassador to New Zealand， and Clare Fearnley， New Zealand’s ambassador to China， delivered video messages of congratulation. Shen Xin， director of American and Oceanian Affairs of the CPAFFC， and Chris Lipscombe， president of the Wellington branch of the NZCFS， cochaired the meeting.

Jiang Jiang said： “Since the es- tablishment of diplomatic ties， China and New Zealand have transcended political， historical and cultural differences， respected each other and carried out win-win cooperation. Our relations have long been at the forefront of China’s relations with Western countries. The historic achievements of bilateral relations would not have been possible without the hard work and care of people from all walks of life in both countries.

“Among them， Rewi Alley， an old friend of the Chinese people and a bridge-builder for China-New Zealand friendship， was the most well-known. We will always remember Rewi Alley and carry forward the spirit of internationalism he embodies.”

Jiang noted that friendship-city exchanges and cooperation are an important force for promoting state-tostate relations. Since 1981， China and New Zealand have established 42 pairs of friendship cities. The efforts have played an irreplaceable role in enhancing mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples， deepening local exchanges and practical cooperation and consolidating public support for China-New Zealand friendship.

He said the CPAFFC is ready to work with the New Zealand side to promote the high-quality development of friendship-city relations and contribute to the overall development of bilateral relations.

Bromwich noted that COVID-19 has hindered people-to-people exchanges， but it has not cut off the friendship between the two peoples. The NZCFS will always uphold the spirit embodied by Rewi Alley and be committed to promoting friendship and understanding between the two peoples， he said.

Wang Xiaolong said： “Holding a series of activities is an important measure to implement the consensus reached by leaders of our two countries and deepen bilateral relations.

“As long as we adhere to mutual respect， openness and inclusiveness， seek common ground while reserving differences， pursue win-win results and uphold the common vision of improving people’s well-being， we can better seize opportunities， promote the steady and long-term development of the China-New Zealand comprehensive strategic partnership and continue to deliver tangible benefits to our two countries and peoples.”

Clare Fearnley added： “As Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said， the relationship between New Zealand and China is one of our most important relationships， and New Zealand has invested a lot of effort and energy in this regard.

“The series of activities will be an important opportunity for China and New Zealand to celebrate and strengthen bilateral relations. I would like to thank the CPAFFC for its great work in telling the story of Rewi Alley.”

Zhuang Rongliang， vice-mayor of Xiamen； Andy Foster， mayor of Wellington； Zhang Baojun， president of the Gansu People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries； and Dave Adamson， secretary of NZCFS and immediate past president of the Christchurch branch of NZCFS， introduced exchanges and cooperation between friendship cities of the two sides.

Shi Hong， director of the Alley Research Center at Lanzhou City University， and Maurice Alley， a nephew of Rewi Alley， shared practices and ideas of inheriting and carrying forward Alley’s spirit. All participants agreed that China-New Zealand friendship is deeply rooted in the hearts of the people and that there is great potential for practical cooperation at the local level and for people-to-people exchanges between the two countries. They will continue to carry forward the Rewi Alley spirit and play a greater role in consolidating public support for China-New Zealand relations， Shi said.

More than 100 people attended the event， including representatives from 10 Chinese friendship associations， including those from Jiangsu， Fujian， Jiangxi， Hubei， Shaanxi and Gansu provinces； as well as officials from the Chinese embassy in New Zealand and the Chinese consulate general in Christchurch. Also included were people from 10 branches of the NZCFS in Wellington， Auckland， Christchurch， and Hamilton， among others.