On April 24，Chinese Ambassador to New Zealand, the Cook Islands and Niue, Her Excellency Ms Wu Xi held a reception on her assumption of office at the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa. Over 500 people attended the event, including New Zealand’s Minister of Agriculture The Hon Damien O’Connor, Minister for Pacific Peoples The Hon Aupito William Sio, Deputy Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade Ben King, Acting Secretary of the Ministry of Defence Mike Yardley, heads of relevant New Zealand departments, Members of Parliament, celebrities from the wider community, members of the Diplomatic Corps, overseas Chinese and representatives of Chinese enterprises and overseas Chinese students.

Ambassador Wu began by expressing her gratitude to the New Zealand Government and the wider community, for their great support and assistance rendered to her since her arrival in New Zealand. She also conveyed sincere greetings and best wishes from the Government and the people of China to the Government and the people of New Zealand.

Ambassador Wu reflected on the tremendous achievements China and New Zealand have achieved over the past 46 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties. She noted that in recent years bilateral relations have deepened by frequent high-level exchanges between the two leadership, resulting in multiple ‘firsts’ in China’s relations with Western developed countries. Bilateral relations have also been broadened by working together to address global and regional issues including climate change, global economic governance, regional security and non-proliferation. The relationship between China and New Zealand has benefited the two peoples while making positive contributions to safeguarding peace, stability and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region and the world.

Ambassador Wu emphasized that the development of China-New Zealand relations synchronizes China’s Reform and Opening up, as well as China’s active engagement with the rest of the world. Ambassador Wu highlighted the important speech made by President Xi Jinping at the opening ceremony of the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2018, noting that President Xi reiterated that China will unswervingly follow its path of socialism with Chinese characteristics and persist in deepening reforms with doors opening even wider to the world. A series of important measures were announced by Preside Xi to expand opening-up. President Xi also reaffirmed that China will stay determined as ever to build world peace, contribute to global prosperity and uphold the international order.

Ambassador Wu noted that China’s further reform and opening-up provide new opportunities for China-New Zealand relations. China is willing to work more closely with New Zealand to turn the consensus of the two leadership into concrete actions, by enhancing political mutual trust and expanding mutually beneficial cooperation. China stands ready to join hands with New Zealand to safeguard the authority of the international system, to foster an open global economy, and to build a community of shared future for all humankind. Ambassador Wu noted that she would do her utmost to carry out her important duty and usher China-New Zealand relations into a new era.

In his speech, Minister O’Connor expressed his warm welcome to Ambassador Wu. Minister O’Connor noted that since the establishment of diplomatic ties, bilateral relations have been progressing rapidly on a solid foundation, supported by the principle of equality and mutual respect. With the deepening of cooperation between the two countries in the fields of politics, economy, trade, culture and education, China-New Zealand relations have developed into a strong and comprehensive relationship. New Zealand sees its relations with China one of the most important foreign relations and is keen to work with China to jointly advance this bilateral relationship to a new level.

The attending guests extended their congratulations to Ambassador Wu for her assumption of office, and expressed their admiration for the achievements made by China since the Reform and Opening-up. They spoke highly of the encouraging message that President Xi sent to the world at the Boao Forum for Asia. The guests expressed their full confidence in the future of China-New Zealand relations. The atmosphere of the reception was friendly and festive.