The New Zealand China Friendship Society is building on its 60-year reputation as one of New Zealand’s most trusted institutions in China with the launch of a new Chinese-language version of its website: http://cn.nzchinasociety.org.nz

Launched on Sunday, July 21, by Dr Luo Hui, Director of the Confucius Institute at Victoria University in Wellington, the website will help to boost trade, cultural and exchange activities between the two nations, says National President Dave Bromwich. 

The website is part of a wider program to expand NZCFS activities in China and New Zealand, including an ambitious scheme to develop more grassroots cooperatives that have helped lift thousands of rural Chinese people out of a subsistence living on the land. 

The Society was established in 1952 and was the main communications link between the two countries until diplomatic ties were established in 1972. 

Through its long association with the legacy of Gung Ho pioneer Rewi Alley, who helped found the industrial cooperatives during China’s war against Japan, the NZCFS has an extensive and distinguished network of connections in China, says Mr Bromwich. 

“We’re channeling the spirit of Rewi Alley in that he was an incredibly dynamic personality who adapted to circumstances and the times. The NZCFS will be just as dynamic in expanding the many links that exist between the two countries,” says Mr Bromwich.  “The Chinese language version of the website is a significant milestone in enabling the Society to inform Chinese language speakers about our objectives and activities.” 

Christine Strickland, Website Administrator and Wellington Branch Vice President, says the Society’s English website has been in operation since 2011. 

At the end of last year Mr Simon Deng, the Society’s Honorary Patron, agreed to fund the set-up and maintenance of a Chinese version. 

Mr David Potts, website designer of both the English and Chinese sites, says that “although the bilingual re-development was a major undertaking it has been a worthwhile and enjoyable project to work on.”

View also Chinese language report on the website of the Chinese Embassy
 http://nz.china-embassy.org/chn/wh/t1061622.htm 

From: NZCFS website