HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Xīn Nián Kuài Lè!
CHINESE NEW YEAR BANQUET
Come and join us to welcome in THE YEAR OF THE GOAT
Tuesday, 17th February 2015 at 6.30 pm
Dragons Restaurant, 25 Tory St
Ambassador Wang Lutong and Patron Hon Philip Burdon will be attending. The programme will include our traditional quiz contest and raffles. The cost, including wine and juice, is:
$38 per person for non-members and $33 for financial members
To book, please send the registration form to the Treasurer to arrive by Monday, 9th February.
The registration form also includes a membership renewal form if you are not able to attend the banquet but still wish to renew your society membership.
Electronic Banking is available for payment. Details are provided on the registration form. When making an electronic payment, please ensure your name is specified as part of the payment details.
No last minute arrivals please.
ALSO COMING UP THIS MONTH
February Saturdays Mandarin Corner, 3:15 – 4:30pm during school terms
February 14-22 Chinese New Year Festival
February 14, 7pm TSB Bank Arena, New Clothes for the New Year
February 15, all day various locations, Festival Day
February 15, 7pm TSB Bank Arena, Shaanxi Qinqiang Opera Arts Group
February 19, 7:15pm NZCLA Chinese Film, 101 Wakefield St
REPORT ON LAST MEETING (from Kirk McDowall)
On Wednesday 19 November, the NZCFS Wellington Branch welcomed Terence O’Brien to the branch meeting. Terence has had many years’ involvement in the field of foreign relations and, in particular, New Zealand’s role in the world. This has included heading New Zealand diplomatic missions in the Pacific and Europe, being New Zealand’s Ambassador to the European Union, as well as NZ’s Ambassador to the United Nations when New Zealand last won a seat on the UN Security Council and represented NZ in the Security Council on many occasions. During the branch meeting, Terence spoke on ‘navigating between the giant panda and the bald eagle: the kiwi ordeal’. 
Terence began his speech by discussing the role of the giant panda (Mainland China) and the bald eagle (the United States), in the global sphere. Since World War II, there has been a growing influence of the United States and the Western world around the globe, in areas such as security, policy and development. However, in more recent times, the growth of East Asia, firstly with Japan and now with China, has played a role in international relations, and this is having an effect on New Zealand. In this globalised-era, New Zealand is becoming increasingly invested in global security and prosperity, with the relationships with East Asia being essential as a result of our ties with this region. However, it is due to these ties with the West and the East that New Zealand must navigate between these powers.
In relation to sovereignty claims of the islands off the coast of Mainland China, there have been disputes by both China and the United States, but it is important that New Zealand retains strict neutrality on these claims. However, New Zealand should also maintain an assertive role, while continuing to build its relationships with China as well as with Southeast Asia. In addition, we will need to be able to think and act independently from the main powers, as there is a space for us to become leaders, as a result of the recent appointment on the United National Security Council. Although neutrality is important, in reality New Zealand must still make choices in relation to China and the United States, which will influence our relationship with both.
There was a range of questions for Terence after his speech. These included the priorities for New Zealand on the Security Council, and how realistic they will be. Assertions were made on intentions in order to get the seat, including reforming the Council, and New Zealand may face difficulties achieving these. However, New Zealand still has the potential to influence the Council in the coming two years. A query was also raised regarding New Zealand needing to rely on information on certain issues being supplied from more powerful nations with more resources. Although we may need to rely on others for this information, New Zealand must independently interpret the information to inform its actions.
There was also a discussion on the sovereignty of the disputed islands off the coast of Mainland China. Despite the claims, New Zealand should look at the bigger picture and the overall development and wellbeing of the region, and not get caught up in individual disputes. The speech ended with a discussion of an alternative to the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement. Although alternatives exist, we need to be careful not to put ourselves in a position that may compromise other already existing relationships with other nations. We thank Terence for his informative speech.
BRANCH MEETING GETS COVERAGE IN CHINA
Chinese President Xi Jinping visited New Zealand and met with Prime Minister John Key from 19 to 21 November 2014. At the last branch meeting we welcomed another important guest. Kejiang Guan from the People’s Daily, the largest daily newspaper in China, attended our meeting to learn more about the Society.
Mr Guan filmed parts of the meeting, including the showing of the ‘Inside Red China’ film. He also conducted a number of interviews about members’ views of the relationship between New Zealand and China. The video showed interviews with the speaker Terence O’Brien, Branch President Michael Powles, members Kirk McDowall and Helen Fawthorpe.
To read the article and watch the video on the People’s Daily website, which has been available to millions of viewers in China, see paper.people.com.cn/rmrb/html/2014-11/20/nw.D110000renmrb_20141120_5-02.htm
A link to the video only: tv.people.com.cn/n/2014/1119/c364580-26056574.html
A pdf of the article only: nzchinasociety.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/rmrb20141120.pdf
WELLINGTON TO CELEBRATE THE CHINESE NEW YEAR IN STYLE
The Wellington City Council and Asian Events Trust are bringing together a week of free activities starting on Saturday 14th February with a Fashion and Dance show at TSB Bank Arena and including Festival Day on Sunday 15th. There is much more information available via the website chinesenewyear.co.nz, including a full program of activities.
NEW MEMBERS – The NZCFS Wellington Branch welcomes Dr Robert Lau & family, Jinyun Xu & Gary Stevens and Yuqiao Wang as new members to the organisation.
NZCFS WELLINGTON BRANCH 2015 AGM AND MEETING DATES
The 2015 AGM of the Wellington Branch will be held on March 18th at 5:45pm at Connolly Hall, after which a guest speaker will address the meeting. Other meetings of the branch will take place on April 15, May 20, June 17, July 19, August 19 (note not August 16 as in the printed/emailed newsletter), September 16, October 21 and November 18.
SUBSCRIPTION RENEWALS
Subscriptions for 2015 are now due. Please use the Banquet/Subscription Form. We prefer that you fill in all the details each year to confirm.
CONFUCIUS INSTITUTE NEWS (from the CIVUW team)
Ms Wen Powles has been appointed to succeed Dr Luo Hui as Director of the Confucius Institute at Victoria University of Wellington. Ms Powles has had a career in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and served as New Zealand Consul-General in Shanghai. After leaving MFAT she worked as Te Papa’s International Strategy Advisor from 2012 to 2014. For the past five months she has been acting Director of the Confucius Institute while Dr Luo Hui has been on Research and Study leave.
Ms Powles will continue the outstanding work that Dr Luo has done to establish the Confucius Institute as a key element of Victoria University’s engagement with China and as a leading force in the promotion of Chinese language and culture in New Zealand. Under Dr Luo’s leadership the number of schools working with the Institute to teach Chinese has risen to over 80. The cultural programme that Luo Hui has promoted has seen performances by Chinese musicians in Wellington and elsewhere that have done much to broaden New Zealand audiences’ appreciation of both traditional and modern Chinese music. Wen Powles is committed to continuing these and the many other initiatives that the Confucius Institute is promoting.
At the end of last year, the Confucius Institutes of Victoria University of Wellington, University of Auckland and Canterbury University took part in the annual Confucius Institute Global Conference held in Wellington’s sister city of Xiamen. Hosted by Xiamen University, which is CI VUW’s Chinese partner institution, and also the Southern Base of the Confucius Institute, the gathering comprised several thousand delegates representing over 470 CIs from around the world, and many other educational and academic personnel engaged in teaching and promoting Chinese language and cultural studies. It was a timely opportunity for CI VUW to engage with Chinese colleagues and media on what has been achieved in Wellington and our adjacent region. [See photo]In February, the Confucius Institute of VUW will be welcoming 38 Mandarin Language Assistants (MLAs) from China for the 2015 academic year. They will be placed in 80 schools around the lower North Island where they will be assisting and supporting the Chinese language programmes of these schools. Some of the schools are teaching Mandarin for the first time. CI VUW’s MLA programme has grown from strength to strength, starting with just 3 MLAs in 2012, placed in 9 schools. NZCFS members will have opportunities to meet the MLAs during the year as they participate in various cultural and language events organised by the Confucius Institute and other institutions.
The Confucius Institute is a major sponsor of Wellington’s Chinese New Year Festival in February. In association with Asian Events Trust and inkLink Art Studio, CI has organised a students’ Chinese brush painting exhibition, Discover Chinese New Year, themed around the famous 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac. A number of Wellington schools and their students are involved. The exhibition will be held on 3 to 13 February at inkLink Studio in Cuba Mall, and at the Asian Market on 15 February on the waterfront. CI’s Discover China cultural workshops for schools and communities are among its most popular programmes, with over a hundred workshops held during last year alone. CI is also involved in other Chinese New Year events in Wellington and around the region.
2015 NZCFS NATIONAL CONFERENCE 22-24 MAY, 2015
Planning is in progress by the Nelson branch which is hosting next year’s Conference the weekend of May 22-24. The theme chosen is “有办法 YO BANFA: There is a way!” based on the title of a book from Rewi Alley. Branches and Committees will be asked to make presentations, should they wish, on how they are finding ‘a way’ to convert NZCFS goals into action. The venue will be at the Muritai Centre at Tahunanui School. Registration information will be sent to members in February 2015. See:
nzchinasociety.org.nz/18050/2015-nzcfs-conference/
WELLINGTON YOUTH GROUP SECURES FUNDING FOR CULTURAL EXCHANGES TO CHINA
The group has succeeded in securing funding from the NZCFS Simon Deng Arts and Culture Exchange Fund. A sum of $8500 has been allocated to “Support youth-based education and cultural internships from New Zealand to China”. Congratulations to Kirk and Faye for putting the effort into securing this funding.
PASSING OF JUNE CLARK, IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT, NELSON BRANCH (from Royden Smith)
Sadly, we must start the New Year with news of the passing of Nelson Branch’s Immediate Past President, June Clark. June succumbed to her battle with leukaemia on Christmas Day and I know you will all join me in sending our heartfelt condolences to Arnold, daughters Ruth and Miriam, and their families. See also nzchinasociety.org.nz/19143/obituary-for-june-clark-26-june-1936-to-25-dec-2014/ for an obituary.
NZCLA CHINESE FILM 中国电影 – Thursday 19 February, 2015
Date: Thursday 19 February 2015 [on the First day of Chinese New Year of the Sheep]Venue: Committee Room One, Wellington City Council, 101 Wakefield St. Gold coin donation.
7.15pm: Chinese Zodiac 12 [122 minutes]Director: 成龙 Jackie Chan
A globe-trotting adventurer uses high-tech gadgets to seek out priceless relics in this action-packed thrill ride starring the one and only Jackie Chan. Centuries ago, a collection of zodiac busts were the pride of China. Flash forward to today, and the bronze heads of those busts are missing. When powerful entrepreneur Lawrence (Oliver Platt) offers a sizable reward for their recovery, the intrepid Asian Fox (Chan) races to find them, and ensure that China’s history is preserved. Meanwhile, Asian Fox will rely on a stunning array of cutting-edge devises to survive his treacherous mission, and ensure the relics don’t fall into the wrong hands.
With Support from the Chinese Embassy and Confucius Institute, Victoria University of Wellington.
UPCOMING NZCFS TOURS:
Chinese Gardens Tour, 25 April – 13 May 2015
This Tour will visit 3 main areas: Shanghai – Suzhou; Sichuan – Chengdu and environs; and Beijing. Led by Chinese Garden expert Di Madgin, and her husband Professor Bill Willmott who has personal experience and family history from his upbringing in Sichuan as the son of Canadian Missionaries. With a range of different garden styles from the three locations, including classic gardens, a water village, public parks, and pandas. Near Chengdu, the tour will include a visit to the recently opened missionary museum which is a tribute from the Chinese government recognising the compassionate support given freely by the Canadian Mission, especially in the areas of health and education. It will also visit a reminder of the landlord rule at the landlord’s museum.
Explore China – The North Central Region, late July–August 2015: This tour will focus on Inner Mongolia, and central North China to the south of this vast province. It will aim to be there in time for the range of cultural festivals of the Mongolian people. Shanxi province with Datong, Hesheng hanging monastery and Pingyao UNESCO Heritage Town are likely to be included. An option to include the Republic of Mongolia in this tour may be possible.
Photographers Tour 2015, September 4-25: This tour follows 
on from the successful Photographers Tour led by Judy Livingstone in 2012. Visit destinations specially selected for amazing photographic opportunities in different environments ranging from Huanglong & Jiuzhaigou UNESCO parks with waterfalls, multi coloured lakes, and minority villages to modern cityscapes and peaceful landscapes to the bustle of daily life. A broad varied offer of old and new. Tour visits Sichuan landscapes and pandas, Tibetan culture and train trip, Scenic Dongchuan Red Land and Chengdu cityscape.
For more information on all tours see https://nzchinasociety.org.nz/news/tours-to-china/ or email [email protected].
