On 7 September, Consul-General He Ying attended a farewell gathering hosted by the Christchurch Branch of the New Zealand China Friendship Society. More than 80 guests attended, including Brett O’Riley, National President of the Society; the Rt Hon Sir David Carter, former Speaker of the New Zealand Parliament and National Patron of the Society; Michelle MacWilliam, Chair of the Christchurch China Sister Cities Committee; and representatives from the Christchurch City Council and the Selwyn Sister Cities Committee.

In their remarks, Mr O’Riley, Sir David and Ms MacWilliam spoke highly of Consul-General He’s dedicated and productive work in strengthening China–New Zealand friendship. They expressed their commitment to deepening cooperation with the Consulate-General and making greater contributions to reinforcing the foundations of friendship between the two peoples.

Consul-General He fondly recalled the many friendship events jointly organised with people from across Christchurch over the past four years. She highlighted their shared efforts to establish the Rewi Alley Memorial Museum, which has become a new landmark of friendship in the city. Noting that the Society was founded at Rewi Alley’s initiative, she expressed the hope that it would work with its Chinese partners to commemorate the centenary of Alley’s arrival in China, carry forward his spirit and pass the friendship between China and New Zealand on from generation to generation.

The gathering was warm and heartfelt. Guests bid a fond farewell to Consul-General He and wished China–New Zealand relations even greater success in the years ahead.