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NZCFS Wellington Branch March 2016 Newsletter

Next Branch Meeting

Tuesday, 8 March 2016 at 5.45pm

Annual General Meeting

followed by

Deborah Robertson speaking on

The Environmental Delegation to China 2016

Great-Wall-Panda[1]The delegation, supported by the New Zealand China Friendship Society [Simon Deng Li Fund] and Beijing Youxie, is for New Zealand environmental professionals and will focus on the following:

  1. Build relationships with their Chinese counterparts and better understand Chinese culture and worldviews
  2. Learn about China’s natural environment and the pressures it faces.
  3. Exchange knowledge about environmental challenges and successes in terms of policy, management, innovation, community action.
  4. Identify further opportunities for ongoing relationships, knowledge exchange, consulting, technology, trade, etc.
  5. Share the knowledge and experience gained on return to NZ.

An optional Chinese buffet meal, supplied by the Fujiyama Café, will follow the meeting at 7pm. Orders for the $12 meal (please pay at the door) will be taken up till 6pm.  If you think you may be arriving late, please let the Secretary know in advance.

map of Connolly HallConnolly Hall
Guildford Terrace, off Hill Street, Thorndon, Wellington (see map)
   (Car park up Guildford Tce beside Hall)

(A full PDF of this newsletter is available at NZCFS Wellington Newsletter March 2016)

ALSO COMING UP THIS MONTH

5   Mar           Mandarin Corner, Seminar Room, 20 Kelburn Parade, Victoria University of Wellington
7   Mar           The Future of China: Status Quo, Reform or Chaos? MY 632, Murphy Building, Kelburn Campus.
24 Mar           All the Way (Chinese film), Committee Room One, WCC, 101 Wakefield Street.

MEETING DATES FOR 2015

The dates Connolly Hall has been booked for monthly meetings this year are Wednesdays 20 April, 18 May, 15 June, 20 July, 31 August, 21 September, 19 October and 16 November.

NEW NZCFS MEMBERS

The NZCFS would like to warmly welcome Yoka Baas-Kogelman, Ingrid Baas, Keith and Debbie Chin, and Jingwei Qiu. We look forward to your attendance at our events and meetings.

WELLINGTON BRANCH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2016

The Branch AGM will be held on Tuesday, 8 March 2016 at 5.45pm at Connolly Hall. The Agenda has been emailed to members. Nominations are invited for President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and seven Committee members. Members are encouraged to stand for one of the elected positions. Nominations should be made on the nomination forms and sent to the Secretary. Nominations will also be accepted from the floor at the meeting.

Nominations so far received are:

President: Michael Powles, Vice President: Luke Qin, Treasurer: Kirk McDowall, Secretary: Graham Gibbs, Committee Members: Bing Fon (Life Member), Rosemary Jones, Robert Lau, Pengbo Jiang, Diwen Cao and Deborah Robertson.  Christine Strickland has indicated she will retire from the position of Vice President and the Branch will have the opportunity at this AGM to register its appreciation for the years of energetic and effective service Christine has given the Branch and the Society as a whole.

Branch Members are urged to consider accepting nomination to fill the seventh position on the 2016 Committee.  Once elected, the Committee is able to co-opt a further three members so will welcome expressions of interest to join the Committee.

SUBSCRIPTION RENEWAL REMINDER

Please remember that 2016 membership subscriptions renewals are now due. Please renew if you have not already done so – download form here.

CHINESE NEW YEAR BANQUET

Wellington Banquet 1The New Zealand China Friendship Society Wellington Branch wishes all members a Happy Chinese New Year! In order to celebrate this occasion, the Branch hosted its annual Chinese New Year Banquet on 20 February 2016 at the Dragons Chinese Restaurant. The Branch welcomed Ambassador Wang Lutong and his wife, NZCFS Patron Hon Philip Burdon & NZCFS National Dave Bromwich, as well as Wellington Branch President Michael Powles and Wellington members to the banquet. The night started with an introduction from Michael Powles, welcoming all the guests and wishing everyone a Happy Chinese New Year. Next, Ambassador Wang spoke of his hopes for the New Year, and continuing to strengthen the relationship between China and New Zealand.

Wellington Banquet 2.Mr Burdon, a former Minister of Trade who has had much experience with China and also a founder of the Asia New Zealand Foundation also addressed the Society. He also spoke of the growing significance of China and the unique relationship we share. He also mentioned the importance of the ties formed between local people through work with communities and organisations, which can contribute greatly to the overall relationship and views between the two countries. Following Mr Burdon’s speech, Dave Bromwich spoke to the Society. Again he highlighted the growing importance of Chinese-New Zealand organisations in strengthening the ties of the two countries. Michael Powles concluded the speeches by thanking everyone for attending.

Wellington banquet Ambassador Wang LutongThe Branch also hosted the traditional annual Chinese Quiz, which involved questions about New Zealand and China, including Mandarin sayings and photos of famous places in Mainland China. Prizes for the quiz were supplied by the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China. In addition, we also held a raffle where a number of gifts from the Embassy and Society were given out

The dishes served during the banquet included from crispy chicken, sweet & sour fish, and roast duck with plum sauce, finishing with sago pudding and fresh fruit. The Wellington Branch thanks all those who could attend the event, as well as the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China and the Dragons Chinese Restaurant. We hope you had an enjoyable time and Happy Chinese New Year!

NZCFS Conference 2016 Tauranga2016 NZCFS NATIONAL CONFERENCE

The Tauranga Branch is proud to be hosting the NZCFS National Conference and AGM the weekend of May 27-29. The theme of the Conference is 好事多磨 “Good things take time” (Hǎo shì duō mó). The National Youth Committee will also be assisting in the conference. Additional information regarding registration and accommodation will be sent to the branch as soon as possible.

2016 – YEAR OF THE MONKEY

The Monkey is an intelligent, witty, and inventive animal. They are problem solvers, working with their group while simultaneously demonstrating an independence associated with achievers. The nimble monkey is playful, youthful in nature, and is a joy to watch as they move from activity to activity.

Year o fthe MonkeyThe Monkey is very intelligent, hyperactive and strong-minded. He represents the unfettered mind freed from inhibitions and guilt. Relieving himself from the heavy burdens of a touchy conscience, the Monkey type will not hesitate to test his theories, experiment and think the unthinkable. In his domain, everything is possible. What is difficult, he could do right away; what is impossible may take a little longer.

All the animals have a shadow side, and the Monkey is no exception. The problem solving tendencies can turn the Monkey to being a tricky tactician, opportunistic and not all that trustworthy. The youthfulness hides an unscrupulous adolescent, and the independence can turn to unfaithfulness.

2016 Mandarin Language Assistants AND MANDARIN CORNER

Mandarin Language Assistants 2016As Chinese New Year arrived in Wellington, so did the Confucius Institute’s 48 new Mandarin Language Assistants (MLAs).

With the key task of supporting Chinese language classes and cultural activities in New Zealand schools, the new MLAs have come from 16 universities and different provinces of China. They have begun their volunteer work in over 110 schools around the North Island and at Victoria University. 

“Regional chapters of the New Zealand China Friendship Society may be interested in offering hospitality to an MLA who’s teaching at a school near you. That would make him or her feel even more welcomed in Aotearoa”, said CI VUW Director, Wen Powles.

The arrival of the MLAs means the return of the Confucius Institute’s popular Chinese language club, Mandarin Corner.

The first Mandarin Corner of this year will start at 3:15 pm this Saturday 27 February 2016, in the Seminar Room at 20 Kelburn Parade, Victoria University of Wellington. The first Mandarin Corner session will be mostly language practice, including brief introductions to each other. We are looking forward to meeting you all and making friends with both regular and newcomers of Mandarin Corner. Just come along if you are interested.

THE FUTURE OF CHINA: STATUS QUO, REFORM OR CHAOS?

The New Zealand Contemporary China Research Centre is pleased to invite you to a seminar presentation by Mr Roger Garside entitled ‘The Future of China: Status Quo, Reform or Chaos?’ as part of its 2016 Global China Seminar Series. The seminar will be held on Monday, 7 March from 4.30 to 6pm at MY 632, Murphy Building, Kelburn Campus (map). Mr Garside will discuss what the future of China holds.  Can the one-party dictatorship continue without reform?  What are the prospects for a managed transition to democracy, as on Taiwan?  What will happen if there is an economic “hard-landing” without political reform?

If you are interested to attend this seminar, please email Lai Ching at [email protected] or call  04 463 9549 to register.

NEW ZEALAND CHINESE LANGUAGE ASSOCIATION CHINESE FILM
中国电影  – Thursday 24 March 2016, 7.15pm

All the Way March 2016 Chinese FilmVenue: Committee Room One, Wellington City Council, 101 Wakefield Street. Gold coin donation. With support from Confucius Institute, VUW.
(Please note that you need to press the buzz to the left of the Wakefield Street entrance, asking the security to let you. Txt 0210306853 if you cannot get in.)

Title: 走到底 All the Way [2001 movie, 85 minutes]

Director: 施润玖 Shi Ruijiu  Cast: 莫文蔚Karen Mok, 姜武Jiang Wu, 张震岳Chang Csun Yuk.

China’s first Road Movie about three young people travelling in one car, lives tied together. Running away, chasing for a criminal…a series of accidents happening on the road.

Projects funded by the Simon Deng Li Fund for 2016

NZCFS is pleased to announce that the following five projects are being funded by the Simon Deng Li Fund for 2016. Most of them should help promote the NZCFS among younger people which gives a good fit with the desired aims of the Society in that regard. For fuller details see https://nzchinasociety.org.nz/23192/projects-funded-by-the-simon-deng-li-fund-for-2016/.

  1. Contribution to Victoria University’s project to create a Chinese Scholar’s Study
Chinese Scholar's Studio
An example of a traditional Chinese scholar’s studio

To make a contribution to Victoria University’s project to create a Chinese Scholar’s Study which will provide an exciting space to showcase unique Chinese New Zealand initiatives with the wider community. The publicly-accessible studio space would reflect the special New Zealand context of Chinese heritage. The study would house traditional Chinese furniture, musical instruments and scholarly material, including New Zealand’s only original restored collection of Chinese printing-type. The study would provide a focus for Victoria University’s Chinese-related programmes and for scholars interested in Chinese research and study as well as a space for community-outreach work.

Wellington branch will also add a contribution from its own reserves towards this project.

  1. New Zealand China Pop Single

To help fund the production and release for the third single, called “Holding onto You”, which will complete a pop album of 10 original songs, each with its own Mandarin and English versions, with projected international release in March 2016. The associated publicity will raise the profile of the NZCFS, especially with younger people. We hope to introduce New Zealanders and Chinese to each other’s unique and interesting cultures, sparking interest and conversations between the two countries.

  1. NZ Environment Delegation to China, 2016

NZ Environment Delegation to China 2016This project is an “Environmental delegates’ tour of China”. It comprises six environmental professionals visiting China for two weeks in October 2016. The group would be based in Beijing, Chengdu and Kunming with trips out of the cities. This will be an excellent opportunity for New Zealanders who already have an understanding of dealing with environmental problems to meet their Chinese counterparts and to visit sensitive environmental sites and innovative projects in China.

  1. Hawkes Bay Youth Choir

Hawkes Bay Youth ChoirThis project is to send 30 members of the Hawkes Bay Youth Orchestra including conductor and orchestra manager, with 10 accompanying parents, to Guilin for five days and Shanghai for four days to perform at schools and in public, to participate in music workshops, to meet families of young musicians, to attend Chinese musical performances, and to have fun.

  1. Bay of Plenty IRIS students to Nanchang

IRIS (Independent Research Internships for Secondary school students) is a programme developed in the Bay of Plenty to send senior secondary students to develop particular research projects in China. In October 2016 a small group of graphics students from Mount Maunganui College will visit Nanchang University arts departments, public art galleries, meet with professional artists, practice various areas of graphic arts and exchange their knowledge and skills with students at Nanchang Foreign Language School where a special arts programme has been arranged for them.

Explore China the SW. landscapeNZCFS EXPLORE CHINA, THE SOUTH-WEST TOUR, 23 DAYS OCTOBER 10-NOVEMBER 2 2016

The Society offers a further educational tour in the “Explore China” series. The tour will visit the two SW provinces of Sichuan and Yunnan for an in-depth experience of this area.  A reasonable level of fitness is needed to accommodate the travel, going over 4000 masl on occasions. There has been considerable interest in this tour and only a few places are now available. If interested please contact Ann White: ph 03 6148944, [email protected] as soon as possible. 

See https://nzchinasociety.org.nz/22403/nzcfs-explore-china-the-south-west-tour for full details.