Tēnā koutou，Tēnā koutou，Tēnā koutou katoa,

Hon. MP Naisi Chen,

Mr. Dave Bromwich,

Ms. Rachel Maidment,

Mr. Michael Dawson,

Dear fellow compatriots,

Ladies and gentlemen,

Good evening!

It is my great pleasure to join you in the concert to celebrate the 73rd anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China and the 50th anniversary of the establishment of China-New Zealand diplomatic relations. On this special occasion of double-happiness, I would like to express my sincere thanks to all of you for coming, and wish all of you great happiness and good health.

The fate of the Chinese nation is like a magnificent music movement. Ever since the Opium War in 1840 to 1842, Chinagradually stumbled into a semi-colonial and semi-feudal society, suffering greater ravages than ever before. The Chinese people put up a courageous fight, chose Marxism-Leninism and the Communist Party of China after repeated failures and comparisons, and founded New China after 28 years of persistent and brave struggle.

Over the past 73 years, the Communist Party of China has united and led the Chinese peoplein pushing forward the cause of revolution, development and reform. We have built a moderately prosperous society in all respects, and started a new journey to build amodern socialist country in all respects. China has achieved a great leap-forward from standing up and growing prosperous to becoming strong. The Chinese dream of national rejuvenation has entered into an irreversible historical process.

In the past year, the Chinese government effectively coordinated COVID-19 response with economic and social development, and maximally protected the safety and health of its 1.4 billion people. China successfully hosted the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic Games and Winter Paralympics. China's economy has continued to recover with resilience despite adverse factors at home and abroad. China is committed to openness and cooperation. Under joint efforts by China and regional countries including New Zealand, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP)entered into forceas scheduled on January 1, 2022. China's efforts to build a community with a shared future for mankind, promote true multilateralism, safeguard fairness and justice, and oppose foreign interference, have won wide support from the international community.

Next month, the Communist Party of China will hold its 20th National Congress. It will be a very significant congress held at a crucial moment when China is embarking on a new journey to build a modern socialist country in all respects, and will chart a new course for China's development.

Ladies and gentlemen,

The year 2022 marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of China-New Zealand diplomatic relations. Over the past 50 years, cooperation between China and New Zealand has delivered tangible benefits to our two peoples, and contributed to the common prosperity of the "Chinese Dragon" and Taniwha. Our bilateral relations have played a guiding role in the development of China's relations with Western countries.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, China had been, for many years in a row, New Zealand's largest trading partner, largest source of international students and second largest source of overseas tourists. Trade between us has continued to grow even during the pandemic. At the beginning of this year, the Protocol on Upgrading the China-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA) took effect. The frequency of direct flights between the two countries has increased from the bottom, and people-to-people exchanges are on the rise. China-New Zealand cooperation has overcome the test of the pandemic and is now embracing spring.

The steady and sound development of China-New Zealand relations is based on the principles of equality, mutual respect, non-interference into each other’s internal affairs, mutual benefit and win-win results. Taiwan is an inalienable part of China. China will continue to endeavor to achieve peaceful reunification with the greatest sincerity and greatest efforts. To realize this goal, we must combat “Taiwan independence” separatist activities with the firmest resolve and take the most forceful steps to repulse interference by external groups. Only by resolutely forestalling in accordance with the law separatist activities can we forge a true foundation for peaceful reunification. Only when China is completely reunified can there be enduring peace across the Taiwan Strait. We appreciate New Zealand's long-time adherence to the One-China principle and hope Kiwi friends will understand and support China's grand cause of reunification.

Just now we visited the photo exhibition of Ancient Silk Road Kingdom of Kucha in Xinjiang upstairs. In recent years, Xinjiang has enjoyed sustained economic growth, social harmony and stability, better living standards, culture thriving, and freedom of beliefs and religious harmony. The so-called OHCHR assessment of Xinjiang does not have any legal mandate, does not have the consent from the country concerned, and does not have any facts to support its claims. It is totally illegal and invalid. The so-called assessment is nothing but a perverse product of the US and some Western forces’ coercive diplomacy and political manipulation. It shows that the Office has been reduced to a political tool for the US and some Western forces to use Xinjiang-related issues to contain China. In this regard, Kiwi friends is hoped to have better understanding and correct view of the Xinjiang-related issues.

As a Chinese saying goes,“Amity between the people holds the key to state-to-state relations”. Auckland is the bridgehead for New Zealand's cooperation with China. I believe that after the local elections, the cooperation at sub-national level between New Zealand and China will boom. Over decades, Many Kiwi friends have carried on the spirit of Rewi Alley, a pioneer of China-New Zealand friendship, in enhancing mutual understanding and friendly exchanges between the two peoples. The Chinese community, as important part of the New Zealand society, are active contributor to the development of New Zealand and China-New Zealand friendship, and firm supporter of China's cause of peaceful reunification. I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude and appreciation to all of you for your important contribution to the steady growth of China-New Zealand ties.

The Consulate-General will continue to promote economic, trade and cultural exchanges and cooperation between China and the consular district. We will support the Chinese community in New Zealand in serving as people envoys of China-New Zealand friendship. We will provide efficient consular services to Chinese citizens working and living in New Zealand.

In conclusion, let us jointly wish China-New Zealand relations a new height and our two countries more prosperity.

Thank you for your attention!

Kiora!