News from the Society

National Notebook		Monthly updates from the National President
Branch newsletters		Auckland Hibiscus Coast Hamilton Hawkes Bay Rotorua Tauranga Wairarapa Wellington Nelson Christchurch
Special Society news		Factsheets Pollution during the Olympics Human rights in China   Bill Willmott review "Mao: the unknown story"

 

December 2009

REWI ALLEY MAKES TOP TEN

Great news! Over 56 million votes cast recently on an internet survey organised by China Radio International to find the Top Ten Foreign Friends of China over the last 60 years saw Rewi Alley recording millions of votes to be number seven.....

 

Please click here to download the whole document.

 

November 2009

PROJECTS TOUR

Great reports have been received on this valuable visit to many of the rural areas our Society has been recently active in. Two of our new Honorary Members were so delighted at meeting the tour party as they moved through China. Lu Wanru wrote "It was exciting to meet at the Beijing Bailie University and the dinner so many NZ friends from different branches of the Society"....

 

Please click here to download the whole document.

 

October 2009

PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA - CELEBRATIONS OF SIXTY YEARS 1949 - 2009
It was a great honour to represent you all in Beijing on 1 October for the sixty years celebrations of the establishment of the People’ Republic of China.  It started with a welcoming banquet by Madame Li Xiaolin, followed by a banquet of 4500 in the Great Hall of the People on 30 September that provided the warm up to the main events. On the 1st of October Beijing I woke to the sounds of the military vehicle parade forming up and that morning invited guests (perhaps 25,000) watched a reported 100,000 participants parade.

Firstly came representatives of the various military units marching on foot in impeccable unison, followed by 30 different squadrons usually of 18 vehicles each, from tanks, to missiles, to armored cars, driven in the same precision as the marchers. Overhead flew groups (flocks?) of varying types of Chinese made war planes from huge airlifters to helicopters. These were followed by 50 floats (or was it 60 for many things were of this number during the celebrations), representing areas of industry, agriculture, education, medicine and other areas of progress plus floats representing each province and region including Taiwan.

Then, after going back to our hotel for a late lunch, then an early evening meal less than three hours later, we witnessed the fireworks gala and dancing displays. I experienced sensory overloads as staggering fireworks displays rebounded on three sides, sky rockets roaring out of the 60 artificial pillars surrounding Tain’anmen Square, the shock waves of some of the explosions and the non stop music and dancing.

One highlight was meeting our Wanganui Branch President, Dave Feickert, who had received (along with 99 other foreigners) a Friendship Award for his mine safety work in China. We were sitting about five metres apart watching the parade and were able to catch up and also during the gala evening was well. We all in the Society can be very proud of Dave’s award for his work in safety in the coal mining industry and Wanganui (or is it Whanganui now), should be very proud to have Dave as their President. During the events, all around the Youxie invited guests were these honoured foreigners proudly wearing their awards.

Another highlight was being hosted by some of our friends from Youxie, Boming, Linda and Karen, on a visit to the Beijing Exhibition Hall the next day, and to find a key display was of two Kiwis receiving Honorary Ambassador Awards some years ago, namely our very own Past President and Life Member, Professor Bill Willmott and our good friend Hiwi Tauroa of the NZ China Maori Friendship Association. That was a big surprise. And what a showcase of the developments in all areas of industry, commerce, agriculture, health and the countryside, was the exhibition. And hints of more to come in hydroponics, to nuclear power stations, to advances in crops and lifestyle of the everyday villager.

BRANCH CELEBRATIONS AND BANQUETS
I have heard of many successful events held by Branches throughout the country commemorating the 60 year anniversary – a great time for us all to share in the celebrations.

Kind regards, & I look forward to seeing the National Executive in Wellington this coming weekend.
           Eric Livingstone,  National President

 

September 2009

OBITUARY Tom Mills  28 September 1939 – 12 August 2009
Sadly, our long time member, friend, Tours Committee member, National Treasure & National Executive member passed away on 12 August. On our behalf, Immediate Past President Margaret Cooper and National Executive Member Diana Madgin represented us at the funeral and passed our condolences to his wife Judy.
Madame Li Xiaolin of Youxie also sent her condolences which included “Mr Mills worked tirelessly and did a lot to promote the friendship and mutual understanding between the people’s of our two Countries. He is indeed a true friend of China – New Zealand friendship. He will certainly live in the hearts of all his Chinese friends forever.”

ISOBEL THOMPSON’S BOOK – CHINESE TRANSLATION
Isobel’s book on her life in China was translated by the China Welfare Institutes Publishing House in Shanghai and she has copies of these which she wishes to distribute free of charge to wherever they may be of use – Universities, Libraries, Chinese Societies etc.  She is looking for suggestions, names etc which you can advise our National Secretary of your suggestions to be passed on.

MOVEMENTS TO & FROM CHINA
This Society Study Tour of Society members will be heading out on October 7th leaving behind a lot of envious people as they visit some of our project sites with some of our partners, Gung-ho, Shaanxi and Guangxi Women’s Federations, Shandan Cooperative federation, Shandan Bailie School and He Mingqing Scholars. Meanwhile the Prominent Persons and Leaders Delegation has been having great experiences and are due back in Auckland on 6 September.

TEACHERS WANTED – Remember we are looking for a replacement teacher for Shandan Bailie School, in Gansu Province preferably for a period of twelve months commencing in February next year. Contact Dave Bromwich 06 8779930 (dbromwich@xtra.co.nz) if this appeals to you. Also Changsha City in Hunan province, is looking for two experienced foreign teachers to teach English in a trade and commerce college in their city. Contact Ian Howat, Hamilton Branch or myself for contact details.

1st OCTOBER SIXTIETH CELEBRATIONS
I am very honoured to have been asked to represent the Society at these important celebrations in Beijing on 1 October and understand some significant events have been planned. Our Prominent Persons and Leaders Delegation last weekend will have witnessed a full scale practice involving 200,000 people for the coming celebrations which will give some idea of their scale.

SHANGHAI DELEGATION
Late October early November a six person delegation is coming from Shanghai for five days to study treatment of retired people in New Zealand and I would express my appreciation for the offers made by Hibiscus Bays, Wellington and Christchurch Branches to arrange activities for them. Being a short time in New Zealand and needing activities near the gateway cities certainly does limit how many branches they can visit and which ones can be scheduled. We do not know if they can take up all these offers but we have been able to suggest their travel movements be made around them.

“UNDER THE HUANG JIAO TREE: TWO JOURNEYS IN CHINA” By Jane Carswell, (a Christchurch Branch member) to be released in New Zealand bookshops in October and with a commendation by Professor, Life Member and Past National President Bill Willmott. Information/orders: enquiries@janecarswell.net  More details next month.

CHINESE FESTIVAL 2009
This festival to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the People’s Republic of China, was held in the Christchurch Art Gallery on 23 August. Our Patron was one of the special invitees interviewed on stage on their views and impressions of China. The organisers were the Chinese Culture Association NZ Inc, Haishen Cultural Exchange Association Inc and NZ Charitable Trust with support from Asia Foundation, Creative Communities NZ and Mainland Foundation. Representatives of the Chinese Embassy, Department of Internal Affairs and Christchurch City Council were in attendence. Cultural events were interceded with other interviewees included the Deputy Mayor, Dave Adamson (Christchurch Branch) former City’s International Affairs official, and myself as your National President and Judy Livingstone as the local Branch President. We were asked questions about our Society aims, the Gung Ho Movement, Rewi Alley and our current activities. Many commented afterwards how much they learnt about our Society that they were not aware of before. Quite a salutary lesson about the need to let more people know what we do. People expressed admiration for our support of reconstruction projects in the earthquake damaged areas.

BRANCH ACTIVITIES IDEAS                Confucius Institute – free chinese online -  www.chinese.cn

• Have a guest speaker on Chinese Martial Arts (Wellington Branch)
• University lecturer to talk about “China Now and Then” (Manawatu Branch)

 -  Hire & show “Children of the Silk Road” movie, and discuss where Rewi Alley fits in (Christchurch)
-   Ask a local acupuncturist to talk on “How does Acupuncture work” (like Hawkes Bay has done)

REWI ALLEY CHINESE SCHOOL
During last month I was able to represent you along with our gracious Christchurch Branch President in a welcome to 25 Chinese teachers (many nursing teachers) from Beijing and Nanjing who spent a few weeks on an exchange at the Rewi Alley Chinese School based at Wharenui Primary School, Christchurch (where Rewi attended and his father was headmaster). Then I had the pleasant task of standing in as guide for a day trip into the high country for the teachers plus about 20 members of a Chinese photographic group based at the school. Our visit took in those famous Castle Hill rock formations, Porters Pass, Arthurs Pass and a highlight was Flock Hill to see sheep dogs working on a high country station and the qualities of wool sold to Italy, China and other parts of the world. The Rewi Alley memorial at Springfield was a fitting end to a great day.

Kind regards, and thanks for accepting a two page notebook this month.

Eric Livingstone,  National President

 

August 2009

PROMINENT PERSONS & LEADERS DELEGATION
What an enjoyable task your two National Vice Presidents and I had selecting this years Prominent Persons and Society’s Leaders Delegation to visit China late August, early September as guests of Youxie. The final selection is of prominent people from the worlds of education, law, migrant settlement, newspaper editing, tourism consulting, and civic affairs. This year Youxie have asked that an extra special participant be Jill Brame of Auckland, the daughter of the Rev Leslie Brame who served during the war years in the Lao Shan area for the London Missionary Society when he assisted hundreds of crashed allied airmen to travel back to their bases. Sadly Rev Brame died in Auckland earlier this year. We do wish the delegation a successful and enjoyable visit to Pingyao City of Shanxi Province and Zhengzhou City in Henan Province. 

NATIONAL EXECUTIVE MEETING 25 JULY
Your Executive had a very fruitful day in Wellington spent mainly on forward planning and outcomes from the National Conference in May. New Executive Committees were agreed upon and fantastic ideas for shorter more focused tours for 2010 were discussed and the concepts agreed upon. Certificates for our three new Honorary Members awarded at our National Conference have been now printed and arrangements are in hand for their presentation. Executive was updated on the Auckland Branch and Confucius Institute initiative for a Gap Year young person targeting high school graduates visiting China. Progress of the Jasmine music video project under development by Auckland Branch that our Annual Conference agreed to support financially, was received as was Peter Cornwall’s generous scholarship for a National Youxie staffer to study in New Zealand for a semester. Also, a committee has been formed to progress the suggested structure of the Society changes that arose out of a workshop at the conference.

PROJECTS STUDY TOUR, October 8 -29, 2009
The Society Study Tour has grown to ten Society members and will visit some of our project sites with some of our partners, Gungho, Shaanxi and Guangxi Women’s Federations, Shandan Cooperative federation, Shandan Bailie School and He Mingqing Scholars. They will meet grassroots communities, learn about rural Chinese Society, taste the local food and see unique sights. If any one else wises to join this specially focused tour contact Dave Bromwich urgently.

SHANDAN BAILIE SCHOOL VACANCY – We are looking for a replacement teacher preferably for a period of twelve months commencing in February next year. Contact Dave Bromwich 06 8779930 (dbromwich@xtra.co.nz) if this appeals to you.

There is so much going on in our Branches and the newsletters from them give excellent ideas for involving members. Do let other Branches know (try the branches near yours) if you would like to receive their newsletters by email to keep you up todate with their activities.       

Kind regards,

Eric Livingstone,  National President

 

July 2009

AUCKLAND BRANCH SPEAKER FEATURED IN NZ HERALD
Congratulations Auckland Branch – President George Andrews arranged an interview by the NZ Herald Newspaper to report on National Executive Dave Bromwich’s address on the Society’s earthquake restoration projects.  What excellent publicity informing the public at large how their donations were multiplied to make a significant difference to four rural communities in earthquake damged areas under the oversight of our Chinese partners, Women’s Federations and  Chinese Industrial Cooperatives Association. View article

ICCIC – 70th Celebrations in Beijing
Messages were sent on your behalf and by a former ICCIC Executive Member, Bill Willmott to  the International Committee of the Chinese Industrial Cooperatives (ICCIC) who met in Beijing early June to celebrate its formation in 1939 by Rewi Alley and others to coordinate international support for the Chinese Industrial Coooperatives Movement (Gung Ho). Both ICCIC and the Gung Ho movement went into recess in 1952, the year of our founding in Auckland, then recommenced in 1980’s. It no doubt not a co-incidence that Rewi advocated the formation of our Society during the recess to provide support for activities like Gung Ho in China. We are pleased Bill Willmott kept our relationship alive and now Dave Bromwich has picked up the mantle of being a New Zealander on the executive committee of ICCIC. It is also pleasing we continue to have a strong association with Gung Ho in projects in different rural areas of China including in the earthquake zone. If you would like to become a member of ICCIC there is a one off membership subscription of US$100. Do consider joining this worthwhile organsiation. Conatct Dave or I for more details.

TOURS TO CHINA
Sadly we have good news and bad news as a result of the recession and its impact on our tours to China this year. The National Heartland Tour has had to be cancelled for this year because of low interest, and thankfully the cheaper air fares have allowed a smaller than normal group to participate in the projects tour this year. If any one else wises to join this specially focused visit please contact Dave Bromwich urgently.

SHANGHAI DELEGATIONS – We recently received thanks from the leaders of both delegations that were in New Zealand during May, the Shanghai Womens Federation group who met counterparts arranged by the Christchurch Branc and the Shanghai Youxie delegation who were well hosted by the Christchurch, Wellington, Rotorua and Auckland Branches. Our thanks to you all especially to Wellington for furthering a High School twinning.

PROJECT REPRESENTATIVES FROM BRANCHES
At conference, following a workshop recommendation, it was agreed to ask all branches to appoint a member who could be the Branch Representative for National projects. This would suit someone prepared to learn up about our projects and be able to pass this information on to branch members by announcements at meetings, items in Branch newsletters etc. Contact Sally Russell or Dave Bromwich if you can assist in this way – a vital role.

NATIONAL EXECUTIVE MEETING WELLINGTON 25 JULY. I look forward to seeing all Branch Presidents and other National executive members for this important meeting. We have a number of items delegated to us by Conference including changes to our Mission and Purpose etc, considering changes to our structure and I would like us to consider our theme for next years conference in Hamilton. See you there.
Christmas is less than six months away and spring is even closer. Keep warm.

 

June 2009

ANNUAL CONFERENCE – A GREAT EVENT!

Congratulations Hibiscus Branch – President Rhyl Jansen and Conference Director Eric Dittmer for a fantastic conference at Orewa, Hibiscus Coast. Great venue, conference arrangements, fellowship, speakers and workshops. Our thanks to all the conference committee and our National Executive for all their hard work and efforts for a memorable weekend. And what an inclusive, warm sincere welcome from Deputy Mayor John Kirikiri that really set the tone for a fantastic weekend.

 Excellent speeches gave us much to think about in our conference deliberations:

1. Graham Lamont “Possible Effects of Global Recession on China’s Relations with the Rest of World”
2. Hon Pansy Wong “ China Sixty Years On – Challenges, Changes & Partnerships”
3. Prof Paul Spoonley “ Being here & There : Chinese Migration & the Impact on Auckland”
4. His Excellency Ambassador Zhang Limin, on the sixty years of the People’s Republic of China
5. Nora Yao “The Meaning of China to New Zealand Today & Tomorrow”

Congratulations are due to:

1. Margaret Cooper on her well deserved Life Membership for all her hard work undertaken for us.
2. Honorary Memberships awarded to Lu Wanru who had worked with Youxie, had been Rewi Alley’s secretary and more recently with the Chinese Industrial Co-operatives Organisation ICCIC; to Ma Baoru for her work in memory of Kathleen Hall (He Ming Qing) and the Nursing Scholarship; also to Liu Guozhong for his work in our relationship with the Shandan Bailie School and ICCIC.
3. Projects Committee on the Embassy’s trophy and Achievement Award presented by the Chinese Ambassador at our banquet
4. Achievement Awards to Nelson Branch for their excellent outcome s from their Prominent Persons Delegation nominee; to Auckland for their great DVD on an interview of Isobel Thompson and her work in China; the He Ming Qing Committee and its major progress with its nursing scholarships.
5. Sally Russell on joining National Executive as an elected member

Shanghai Delegations Visit during May

Two delegations arranged by the Shanghai People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries visited briefly last month. First to arrive in Christchurch was a five person delegation from that organisation who discussed current and future relationships with myself, Bill Willmott, National past president, Judy Livingstone, Christchurch Branch President plus some local branch committee members. A number of excellent opportunities were canvassed. This delegation then went on to be hosted by Wellington, Rotorua and Auckland Branches – thanks to all who helped with this.

 The other delegation was from the Shanghai Women’s Federation comprising six members whose brief visit included a meeting with our Christchurch Branch and Canterbury senior members of the NZ Institute of Women who provided a most interesting dairy farm visit to Brookside, south of Christchurch City to discuss matters of mutual interest including handcrafts and  farm life. The previous evening both delegations enjoyed a Chinese meal with members of the NZ Institute of Women  and our local branch. A most enjoyable event.

Keep warm, dry and in good humour this cool winters month – spring is around the corner.

 

May 2009

ANNUAL CONFERENCE ALMOST HERE!

Looking forward to it? I sure am! What a great line up of guest speakers, fantastic options for the eight workshops and excellent opportunities for fellowship and networking.  I look forward to seeing those of you are attending our annual conference at Orewa, Hibiscus Coast. We have high registrations numbers and even more coming to the Saturday night banquet. Heaps of work undertaken by the Hibiscus Coast Branch preparing for this important event in our calendar.

We receive fantastic support from the Chinese Embassy in Wellington and from the Consulate in Auckland, so we are specially pleased to have Ambassador His Excellency Zhang Limin, Consulate General Ms Liao Juhua, First Secretary Cultural Olga Wang, and Cultural Attache Ms Jia Xiulin with us at Conference on Saturday as well as at the Banquet that night for the awarding of the Embassy’s Award for Achievement. It was great catching up with the Ambassador this last week in Christchurch when he opened a Chinese book corner in Rewi Alley’s old High School library at Christchurch Boys High. A grand occasion with representatives of other schools and the Chinese Language Teachers Association present.

1979 DOCUMENTARY GUNG HO: REWI ALLEY OF CHINA

NZ On Screen advise that this documentary is available to view in full for free. A great opportunity for a Branch Meeting!      See: http://www.nzonscreen.com/title/gung-ho---rewi-alley-of-china-1979  It was directed by Geoff Steven, co-written by Alley biographer Geoff Chapple and shot by Leon Narbey (with Annie Collins editing)

LANZHOU CITY UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT
Judy and I were privileged to host in our home President (or Vice Chancellor) of Lanzhou City University Kong Qinghao and International Manager Zhang Lei Tao for three weeks recently. We know this University as Rewi Alley’s Lanzhou Bailie Oil School and his memory is still strongly remembered there where one of the schools of the University is still named after Bailie.

We were able to arrange for Dave Bromwich who was visiting Gansu at the time to call on the University during April to continue our association and explore future co-operation opportunities. President Kong has now returned to Lanzhou after sometime studying English at the Christchurch Polytechnic under an exchange programme. The current Rewi Alley scholar from Shandan was able to link up with our visitors from Lanzhou and to our surprise he was being home hosted in our street also!

DELEGATIONS ON THE MOVE

1. Shanghai Womens Federation, May visiting Auckland branch and Christchurch branch plus representatives of NZ Institute of Women and the NZ Human Rights Commission.
2. Shanghai Youxie in May visiting Christchurch, Wellington, Rotorua, Auckland Branches.
3. Prominent Persons & Society Leaders Delegation departing late August for Beijing, Pingyao in Shanxi Prov, Zhengzhou in Henan Province – nominations from Branches now awaited. Make your approaches as soon as possible to prominent people in your community especially young leaders, and remember, we are also seeking Society current or future leaders as well.

 

April 2009

FIVE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETINGS
Don’t we love AGM’s, and my record this year is five. What a great and heartening experience being at, witnessesing and speaking to five branches recently as they review their year and elect officers for the next year. Wellington firstly and congratulations to Bernie Richmond for heading the branch for another year,  and to Bruce Asher the new Wellington Branch Secretary. Next day a delightful train ride to Masterton and Wairarapa Branch re-elected Hilton Dickens President after his part year role plus Donald Simpson as Secretary. Two smooth bus rides the next day through Woodville saw me in Hastings where I was able to see Sally Russell be re-elected President and Mike Earle Secretary of our project strong Hawkes Bay Branch.

Previously, Christchurch Branch’s AGM where Judy Livingstone was re-elected President and welcome to Annette Hill as Branch Secretary. Off to Timaru last Thursday for a meaningful planting of a  tree donated by your Society in the Chinese area of the Timaru Botanical Gardens, in memory of Val Penty, Timaru Branch President who sadly passed away in August last year. We were grateful to Bob Penty and the family for allowing us to be involved in this way, and our Chinese garden expert, Di Madgin spoke well on the unique overlooking ancient tree from China – now that’s a story she could relate next time she visits your branch. Congratulations to Brian Foley, the Branch’s new President and to Ann White re-elected Secretary again.

HEARTLAND CHINA SEPTEMBER 2009 TOUR

Good interest is being received for this outstanding tour visiting the colourful rural provinces of Sichuan, Guizhou and Guangxi as well as the urban areas of Beijing and Shanghai.  This tour,  limited to 18 people, follows up on our very successful Heartland Tour of last year and is being lead by that knowledgeable tour guide Tim Jensen.  Do contact Tim phone 0800 22 44 62 as soon as possible if you want a seat on this special Society Tour.

NATIONAL CONFERENCE, OREWA, HIBISCUS COAST 8 – 10 May 2009.
A steady stream of registrations are being received for this important event in our annual calendar. It is only one month away before we start heading off to Orewa and I do look forward to seeing you there. Speakers are firming up and the programme will be very interesting complete with relevant workshops to involve all attendees. Come and help us plan for our future and join in some excellent fellowship.

NATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS
Have you selected your most successful initiative and achievement commenced or finished in the period 30 April 2008 to 30 April 2009 and put your entry into Trevor Linyard? We all know some branches and small teams have done some outstanding initiatives on our behalf over the last year and we do want to hear more about them. Make sure your hard workers and their efforts are recognised.

DELEGATIONS COMING AND GOING

• Shanghai Womens Federation, May visiting Auckland, Christchurch
• Shanghai Youxie, May visiting Christchurch, Wellington, Auckland
• Prominent Persons & Society Leaders Delegation Aug/Sept to Beijing, Pingyao in Shanxi Prov, Zhengzhou in Henan Province – watch for details soon calling for nominations from Branches

 

February 2009

YEAR OF THE OX
Happy New Year of the Ox ! There must be some great people born in the year of the Ox – diligent, honest, strong, docile, hard working and kind –hearted.  Although they can have a bad temper known as ‘bull headedness’ as awful as a volcano but their temper is not lost easily unless being irritated!!

NEW LOOK PRESIDENT’S NOTEBOOK
Time for a change to the format of my President’s Notebook? – any member care to develop a template with variety in layout and font to increase reader interest? Please drop me a line! Meanwhile, following requests for an earlier Notebook, I have commenced with February’s starting now at the beginning of the month.

EARTHQUAKE RESTORATION PROJECTS UPDATE

Lueyang County of Hanzhong City, Shaanxi Province - Establishment of new walnut trees for new livelihood for earthquake affected residents.  This project attracted NZ Government Koha Funding and a total of $70,440 has been sent to our partners for this project.

Feng County of Baoji city,"Honghuapu Township, Shaanxi Province - Health Clinic Reconstruction - contribution to building a new clinic to serve 6000 people to replace a destroyed clinic. This project received NZ Government Aid Funding and $71,429 in total has been sent to our partners for this project.

Pengzhou County, Sichuan Province -  Livelihood reconstruction by the repair of irrigation micro-channels being undertaken in conjunction with the repair of the main channels and a pre-condition is of local funding being available to achieve this. This project also received NZ Government Aid funding and $69,071 has been sent.

Our project partners in China for each project are either the local Women’s Federation or the Chinese Industrial Cooperatives organisation (Gung Ho). From the NZ $25,000 raised by our Society members, three projects have been funded todate to the value of over $220,000 by putting them under the scrutiny of and receiving Government funding. Great work Project Team! And there is one further project proposal still under consideration.

CALL ON CHINESE AMBASSADOR
Vice President Christine Strickland and myself were fortunate to be able to have time with His Excellency Zhang Lemin beore the Chinese Embassy Spring Festival Celebrations on Friday 23 January to update him and his staff on the Society’s activities especially with our earthquake restoration projects. A very worthwhile visit and we offered to support where possible the Embassy’s cultural activities.

YOUXIE STAFF FEBRUARY VISIT
We are looking forward to welcoming Liu Yi (Eric) and Sun Chi (Kathy) of Youxie Beijing who arrive in Auckland on Monday 9 February, spend time our Branch there, also Hawkes Bay, Wellington and Christchurch before departing on Wednesday 18 February. As it is their first experience of New Zealand we feel sure they will leave with many memorable experiences.

MORE ON THE PROMINENT PERSONS AND SOCIETY LEADERS DELEGATION last November.  Like many recent members of such delegations, I was blown away again by the welcome, the friendship plus the development that is occurring in China. Our first main activity was to attend the CHINA INTERNATIONAL FRIENDSHIP CITIES CONFERENCE 500 people comprising 34 delegations from overseas countries and 31 delegations from within China, met in Beijing to discuss the theme “A Harmonious World: Friendship, Co-operation, Peace, & Development”

The Mayor of Cologne, Germany said, “Friendship Cities since World War 2 have increased the understanding between peoples” and what city in the World would want peace, friendship, understanding and co-operation more! Fifty two speakers spoke of their experiences and benefits of Sister Cities. China advised their twinning of cities had reached 1420 and were looking to extend this number based on three principles of: 1. Friendship, 2. Mutually beneficial co-operation between people, 3. Actual activities in inter city co-operation. A truly worthwhile conference & experience for us all.

FRIENDSHIP FORUM HUNAN
This was an excellent opportunity to learn how similar countries run their Friendship with China organisations. All spoke of their activities, how they were organised and how they responded to the call for help when the disastrous May Earthquake occurred.  Many participants were envious of the mix and youth of our delegation plus the Kiwi way of selecting our Earthquake Restoration Projects. Papau New Guinea and Vanuatu were newer attendees and were keen to make contacts and friends.

One highlight of the Forum  was the address by Mr Wang Zuoan of the State Administration of Religious Affairs Office on China’s Policy on Religious Freedom. A very frank portrayal of current policies and responses to our questions. I hope to obtain a copy of his address to put on our web site.

SHANGHAI JIEFANG DAILY GROUP NEWSPAPER DELEGATION VISIT DECEMBER
The week before Christmas and at the request of Youxie Shanghai, I welcomed the Vice President and the Editor of Shanghai’s largest daily newspaper group and their delegation to Christchurch and introduced them to the editor of the Christchurch Press.  With the World Trade Expo in 2010 being held in Shanghai, we can expect further contact from Shanghai Youxie and the media from there.

NATIONAL CONFERENCE, OREWA, HIBISCUS COAST 8 – 10 May 2009.
The registration forms are now out and I am able to advise Hon Pansy Wong, Minister for Ethnic Affairs is pleased to come and address us on where she sees the future for us. Can anyone tell us the location of any Society banners or the Kathleen Hall Scroll? Please urgently advise Alistair.

DOROTHY BROWN:   Does anyone know the contact details of this English teacher who taught in Tianjin during 1976 to 1978. Would be about 80 now. One of her students, now an internationally distinguished Professor, wants to make contact and visit her here in New Zealand later this year.

NATIONAL EXECUTIVE MEETING FEBRUARY
On Saturday 14 February all available Branch Presidents and other members of National Executive will meet for one of three in-between conference meetings in Wellington for what promises to be a very full agenda plus a chance to meet with our Youxie visitors

Eric Livingstone,  National President