On 28 August, Embracing Diversity---China National Academy of Painting International Art Dialogue Exhibition opened at the Rewi Alley Memorial Museum in Christchurch. Consul General He Ying, Director Yan Dongsheng of the Art Committee of the China National Academy of Painting, Sir David Carter, former Speaker of New Zealand Parliament, City Councillor Tyler Harrison‑Hunter, Anthony Wright, Director of Canterbury Museum, Blair Jackson, Director of the Art Gallery, and Xu Tong, Director of the Wellington Chinese Culture Centre, were among the guests present.

In her address, Consul General He noted that Chinese painting and calligraphy stand as one of the most representative art forms of fine traditional Chinese culture. She expressed confidence that the outstanding contemporary Chinese paintings and calligraphic works on display would enable more New Zealand friends to appreciate the essence of Chinese brush‑and‑ink art and understand Chinese culture, and help forge ever‑stronger China‑New Zealand friendship through cultural integration. Councillor Harrison‑Hunter thanked the Chinese side for bringing high‑calibre contemporary Chinese painting and calligraphy to Christchurch, remarking that the exhibition had injected vitality into local multicultural development.

Members of the delegation from the China National Academy of Painting also planted a rhododendron in the“Friendship Garden”at the Consul General's Residence, as a token of best wishes for enduring China‑New Zealand friendship.