AUCKLAND, New Zealand, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- Lion dances, firecrackers, street foods and new year delicacies, spring festival couplets and adornments, candies and balloons have welcomed thousands of people from across New Zealand in celebrating the upcoming Chinese New Year at the 2023 Chinese New Year Festival and Market Day event in Auckland on Saturday.
The annual event, one of the largest Chinese New Year celebrations in New Zealand, was organized by the Auckland Chinese Community Centre and joined by New Zealand Minister for Social Development and Employment Carmel Sepuloni, Chinese Ambassador Wang Xiaolong, opposition leader Christopher Luxon and other distinguished guests.
In her keynote speech, Sepuloni said the 2023 Chinese New Year celebration marked the passage from the Year of Tiger to the Year of Rabbit and gave the opportunity to live the future with new hope.
"People born in the year of Rabbit are said to be kind, empathetic, creative and gentle. These are qualities that are especially relevant as we work together collaboratively towards the social cohesive and inclusive Aotearoa New Zealand," said Sepuloni.
"Our country is home to over 247,000 Chinese New Zealanders, making up just under 5 percent of the total population of our country and one of the largest ethnic communities. The New Zealand Chinese diaspora has contributed significantly, economically, socially and culturally to the rich and diverse New Zealand," said Sepuloni.
"This government is committed to seeing diversity flourish in New Zealand and for it to be recognized as a source of strength to be celebrated," said Sepuloni.
"In 2022, we celebrated the 50th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between China and New Zealand. China remains our largest trading partner, and we endeavor to continue building and nurturing this long-standing relationship on mutual interest," said Sepuloni.
Chinese Ambassador to New Zealand Wang Xiaolong said in his keynote speech that under the stewardship of the leaders and with the broad-based support and participation on both sides, including from major political parties here in New Zealand, New Zealand and China have overcome COVID-19 and other difficulties, maintained dialogues and consultations at different levels, advanced practical cooperation and promoted people to people exchanges.
"We should be proud that the China-New Zealand relationship has maintained a positive momentum of development on the right track, continuing to bring tangible benefits to both countries, particularly to both peoples, and also contributing to international and regional peace, stability and development," said Wang.
"More importantly, with joint efforts by both sides, the China-New Zealand relationship has embarked on a new journey, ushering in the next 50 years of progress and mutual benefit," said Wang, noting that the people of both countries have a time-honored relationship.
With the ease of the pandemic and the full reopening of borders of both countries, the ambassador was confident that both the two economies and people-to-people exchanges would recover and inject new vitality into the bilateral relations.
Traditional Chinese performances, including lion dances, Kongfu and Taichi demonstrations, face-changing performances, Chinese folk dances and folk music instrument performances, sing-songs and pop bands were showcased, as well as traditional Chinese New Year food and decorations were sold in the whole day event.
Chairman of Auckland Chinese Community Centre Kai Luey said in his remarks that China has now become a major global economic powerhouse in the 21st century and is also a leader in new fields of technology.
"We should all be very proud of these achievements by our home country," said Luey.
An Auckland resident Shami Zim and her two daughters were waiting for face painting. She told Xinhua that her family enjoyed the Chinese New Year celebrations, where they tasted the food, watched entertaining performances and had a good time in the warm festive atmosphere. ■
