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NZCFS Wellington Branch May 2014 Newsletter

NEXT BRANCH MEETING
A Joint Presentation with Confucius Institute, VUW
Friday, 16 May 2014, at 5.45 pm
Professor Qian Xiaoyan will speak on Chinese Acupuncture, incorporating live demonstrations

Ms Qian XiaoyaQian Xiaoyann is a professor at the Medical College of Xiamen University. During the process of her 30 years’ clinical and teaching practice, nearly 30 works and articles based on Acupunctural clinical research have been published.
She has the adept clinical skills of acupuncture and has obtained considerable clinical experience and good curative effects. She is particularly accomplished in acupuncture curing various parenchyma damnification, aches, sequelae of apoplexy, facial paralysis, insomnia, acne and gynecology diseases, and acupuncture for cosmetology and losing weight.
Prof Qian has visited Canada, Norway, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia, where she has given lectures, performed clinical practice and undertaken the role of part-time professor and advisor in local medical colleges.
Prof Qian is a member of the delegation visiting Wellington from Xiamen University.

Connolly Hall, Guildford Terrace, off Hill Street, Thorndon, Wellington (see map)Location of Connolly Hall
(Car park up Guildford Tce beside Hall)
An optional Chinese buffet meal, supplied by the Fujiyama Café, will follow the meeting at 7 pm.  Orders for the $11.00 meal (please pay at the door) will be taken up till 6 pm.  If you think you may be arriving late, please let the Secretary know in advance.

ALSO COMING UP THIS MONTH
10, 17, 24, 31 May    Mandarin Corner, 20 Kelburn Parade
15 May, 2-8pm           China Symposium, Te Papa
22 May, 7:15pm        NZCLA Chinese Film, 101 Wakefield St
23-25 May                   National Conference, Havelock North

MEETING DATES FOR REST OF 2014
The dates Connolly Hall has been booked for monthly meetings this year are 22 June, 20 July, 20 August, 17 September, 15 October, 19 November.

SUBSCRIPTION RENEWAL REMINDER
Please remember that 2014 membership subscriptions renewals are now due.  We will endeavour to contact any members who have not yet renewed.

REPORT FROM LAST MEETING – ADDRESS BY CHINESE AMBASSADOR (from Kristen Ng)Wang Lutong
On the 23rd of April, the Wellington branch of the New Zealand China Friendship Society were pleased to welcome His Excellency Wang Lutong, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to our monthly meeting at Connolly Hall, where he addressed a strong contingent of members both old and new, as well as interested friends from the community.
In his opening remarks Wellington branch President Mr. Michael Powles warmly welcomed Ambassador Wang Lutong, visiting NZCFS National President Mr. Dave Bromwich and Hawke’s Bay President Ms Sally Russell.  Ambassador Wang presented a speech on the cultural and economic objectives of the ‘Chinese Dream’ [中国梦], a framework in which the Chinese Government is striving towards creating better outcomes for the people through reform and development. While discussing the long-standing relationship between China and the NZCFS, Ambassador Wang acknowledged the contribution of Rewi Alley and Kathleen Hall, as well as the Society’s role as an Incubator, Exchanger, Gold Miner and Sower in the bi-lateral relationship between our two countries.  With plenty of charisma, expertise and a dash of humour, Ambassador Wang reserved most of his time to answering questions from the diverse members of the audience, which seemed to be in the spirit of the people-focused nature of the address.  The Q&A session proved to be productive, informative and wide ranging – broaching topics such as the work of the Wellington Embassy, economic development and investment potential, environmental policy, future collaboration opportunities between the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and the Forbidden City Orchestra, visa costs, international Chinese students and even his personal experiences with New Zealand life.  The session provided insight and suggestions for how New Zealand and China can learn from each other outside of the trade and education industries, with Ambassador Wang noting a strong growth in tourism to New Zealand and possibilities for Chinese irrigation expertise to be shared in the South Island.
It was a pleasure to have Ambassador Wang at our branch meeting and we hope he will return again soon.

NEW ZEALAND CHINA FRIENDSHIP SOCIETY FUTURES GROUP (from Jack Irvine)
The New Zealand China Friendship Society Futures Group was formed in early April 2014 with the vision to make the NZCFS more responsive to the needs of the 21st century.
While the NZCFS supports all members and their involvement in friendly New Zealand-China relations, the Futures Group focuses in on the more junior members of the society, helping to develop the future leaders of the society today.  At this point, the Futures Group itself exists as a collection of nine younger members, many of whom are new to the society.  They all, however, share one thing in common; an interest and passion for China.  The group aims to generate greater youth interest from the wider community by strengthening the web based and social media presence of the NZCFS, promoting learning and understanding of Chinese language and culture through workshops and events and ultimately creating a network connecting young members to the professional community as their careers develop.  Supporting Chinese international students during their time in New Zealand is also a key focus of the group’s efforts, a goal which will be achieved through the effective marketing of the NZCFS through group member’s alumni connections.

WELLINGTON BRANCH FACEBOOK PAGE (from Faye Zhang)FaceBook
The Wellington Facebook page is now up and running! The Facebook page is one of the platforms to link together everyone who shares common interests in Chinese and New Zealand culture. As the youth panel has been formed in March 2014 and some of the panel members have joined the committee, we are planning on more interactive events to attract more young members. And the Facebook page is the first step to start our plan in attracting the future generation.
Be part of us and show your support, please like the page: www.facebook.com/NZCFSWellington

NATIONAL CONFERENCE 23–25 MAYHavelock North
The 2014 National Conference and AGM will be hosted by Hawkes Bay Branch at the Havelock North Function Centre, with the theme “Voices for Youth”.
Wellington members Jack Irvine and Faye Zhang will be taking part in the Saturday morning event: “Vision from NZCFS younger members”.  The Programme is now on our website.  For information on registration and accommodation see the Registration Pack.  Ten Wellington members have already registered.  If you are interested in attending please contact Branch Secretary Graham Gibbs.  Wellington Branch will make a subsidy of $60 towards the registration fee of its first 10 financial members who register.

NZCFS CHINA ART TOUR OCTOBER 2014
This tour will appeal to artists as well as those who are interested in gaining a deeper understanding of Chinese culture through its artistic traditions – which will include painting, calligraphy, opera, architecture and traditional garden design.
China Arts Tour is a unique non-commercial tour that will start in Beijing and also visit the cities of Xian, Shanghai and Suzhou.  It will also include iconic tourist sites: architecture – from the Great Wall to the iconic cantilevered CCTV building and Olympic Birds nest; in Shanghai state of the art international award-winning buildings, the Bund, old French quarter; the Terracotta Army in Xi’an; the classic gardens in Suzhou…..
China Arts TourThe full itinerary will be forthcoming.  To register your interest or for more information go to:  China Arts TourChina-Arts-Tour.2-250x167nzchinasociety.org.nz/16098/nzcfs-china-arts-tour-october-2014/

MANDARIN SPEECH GROUP (WELLINGTON) 汉语演讲俱乐部
The Mandarin Speech Group, established in Wellington last September, meets fortnightly on a Thursday at New Zealand Post House, Waterloo Quay. The meeting follows a similar format to International Toastmasters Clubs – a series of speeches, followed by an evaluation for the speakers to receive some feedback. The meetings are free to join and last for one hour starting at 12.10pm, and are conducted only in Mandarin. There are a number of highly dedicated people involved in the group. The group grammarian is Liu Yaru, whose rich Chinese teaching experience keeps the group moving towards a high level of Mandarin proficiency. Yaru is the Teaching Fellow at the Confucius Institute at Victoria University.  The club has an excellent mix of people with multi-lingual and multi-cultural backgrounds. Some members are non-native Mandarin speakers who have experienced Chinese culture and learnt Chinese, while others are native Mandarin speakers who live in New Zealand and learnt English as a second language. Both groups appreciate the cultural difference and diversity, and enjoy sharing their insights about New Zealand and China.
The club is for people with intermediate to advanced level Mandarin. If you are interested, please contact Linda Luong  ([email protected]) for more information.
Upcoming meetings are Thursdays 15 & 29 May at NZ Post House, level 10, Matariki Room at 12.10pm.

CHINESE FILM 中国电影  – Thursday 22 May 2014, 7.15pmAmerican Dreams in China movie
Venue: Committee Room One, Wellington City Council, 101 Wakefield St.
Gold coin donation.  With Support from Confucius Institute, VUW.
中国合伙人 American Dreams in China (112 minutes, 2013)
Director: 陈可辛 Peter Chan.
Cast: 黄晓明 Huang Xiaoming, 佟大为Tong Dawei, 邓超 Deng Chao, 杜鹃 Du Juan
A 2013 blockbuster Chinese film directed by Peter Chan. It is an aspirational drama about how three deadbeat college chums built a business empire by teaching English.

MANDARIN CORNER 汉语角 3.15pm-4.30pm on Saturdays during school terms   Seminar Room, 20 Kelburn Parade, Victoria University of Wellington.
The Confucius Institute has available a team of Mandarin Language Assistants and other resources which will greatly benefit Mandarin Corner. NZCFS Wellington and NZ Chinese Language Association Wellington are partners.
The five MLA’s in Wellington use their extensive knowledge of the Chinese language and a good dose of passion to coach and inspire any student who wishes to attend. Students of all levels are welcome, from absolute beginner to advanced.  The class starts with a presentation on Chinese culture, topics could be Chinese Zodiac signs, paper cutting or etymology of Chinese characters. After the presentation, the class divides students and teachers into groups to practise Chinese.
If you wish to improve your Chinese language skill, share your China experiences or talk to someone who has been or lived there, this is a great place to go. To find out more, please do not hesitate to contact Cici(孔璟瑗[email protected] 欢迎大家
Bonus: Snacks and drinks are provided.

CHINA: CONTINUITY AND CHANGE – A SYMPOSIUM ON CHINESE ART AND CULTURE

Emperor Qianlong, Qing Dynasty (1644–1911) National Museum of ChinaLeading curators, historians and other experts will present insights into China’s art, culture and history at Te Papa Soundings Theatre on Thursday, 15 May 2014, 2pm-8pm.  See programme.  This gathering promises to bring together leaders in their fields, along with members of the public, for fascinating commentary and discussion focusing on China’s unique qualities and international impact.
The symposium is timed to coincide with two major exhibitions brought to Te Papa from the National Museum of China. Throne of Emperors explores two thousand years of history through the reigns of seven very different emperors and Shi Lu: A revolution in paint looks at the life of a Twentieth Century master of Chinese calligraphy and painting.
Te Papa curators will be walking participants through the exhibitions before Dr Claire Roberts presents her keynote speech, focusing on the paintings in each one. Dr Roberts will look in particular at the art of Shi Lu, and what it tells us about a turbulent time in his nation’s history.
Tickets are $30.  Registration includes entry to the two above-mentioned exhibitions.  To register please contact [email protected]

EXHIBITIONS FROM THE CONFUCIUS INSTITUTE ART COLLECTION
26 March – 26 June, Level 3, Main Library, Kelburn campus
The new art space, located on Level 3 in the Main Library on Kelburn campus, is jointly launched by the University Library and the VUW Confucius Institute to showcase visual art by contemporary artists in and outside China who respond creatively to Chinese culture, history and society. The inaugural exhibitions, running from March to the end of June, feature two suites of photographic works by a pair of Hong Kong-Canadian artists.Five Senses
Five Senses by Lee Ka-sing is a suite of commission work originally produced for Asian Legend (a restaurant in Toronto) in 2003. It reflects a continuation of Lee’s visual language created around that period, as in the work he produced for The Peninsula Palace Hotel in Beijing (2003) and the images that appeared in Leung Ping-kwan’s book Traveling with a Bitter Melon (2002). Using multi-layered imaging in photography, Lee is constantly a thinker and reformer of the photo/non-photo image as a visual, communicative language.Holly Lee's Hollian Thesaurus
Holly Lee’s Hollian Thesaurus is a study and contemplation on religion, power, technology and the conflux of cultures East and West. At once playful and serious-minded, cosmopolitan and unmistakably ‘Hong Kong’, the series had been exhibited in Japan, Hong Kong, New York, Toronto and Vienna. It is in the permanent collection of the Hong Kong Heritage Museum.