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NZCFS Wellington Branch October 2012 Newsletter

Andrew Butcher

NEXT BRANCH MEETING

Dr Andrew Butcher will speak on “In Pleasant Places: The Story of the Duncan Family in China in the 1940s

Dr Andrew Butcher joined the Asia New Zealand Foundation in 2006 and directs its research and track II diplomacy programmes. In 2011 he was a visiting fellow at the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies in Singapore and in 2012 is a teaching fellow in the Political Science and International Relations programme at Victoria University of Wellington. He holds degrees in history and criminology from Victoria and a PhD in sociology from Massey University. He is a member of the Royal Society of New Zealand. He is the author of more than 30 articles, reports and book chapters.

Much of New Zealand’s knowledge of China, up until post-Second World War, came directly from missionaries, who interpreted their experiences and perceptions of the Chinese world to New Zealanders back home. To the rest of the world, China was closed off. By the 1920s, missions occupied a prominent place in New Zealand churches. One of the most prominent missionary organizations was the China Inland Mission (CIM), which sent more New Zealanders to China than any other similar New Zealand institution. Two of the missionaries whom the CIM sent to China during the 1940s were Frank and Marjorie Duncan (Andrew Butcher’s grandparents.) In their reflections we see a sense of the chaos that marked China in that period; the demands placed on both the Chinese and the foreigners; and how famine, war, and political chaos significantly impacted on the missionary work in China. This presentation, based on a book chapter, which will be published in 2013, uses diaries, written some years after the events to which they are referring, supplemented by contemporary texts, literature on the CIM, and photographs of China of the time and since.

map of Connolly Hall
Connolly Hall

Wednesday, 17 October 2012, at 5:45 pm in Connolly Hall

Guildford Terrace, off Hill Street, Thorndon, Wellington (see map)

(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 (see below for details)

15 October, 6:30pm Free: Cantonese Opera, Little Theatre, Lower Hutt

25 October, 7:00pm Chinese Film, 101 Wakefield St

27 October, 3:15pm Mandarin Corner, 24 Kelburn Parade

IDIOM OF THE MONTH (from George Mills)

风向转变时,有人筑墙,有人造风车

fēng xiàng zhuàn biàn shí, yǒu rén zhú qiáng, yǒu rén zào fēng chē

Some people try to counteract change, others take advantage of it

(Literally: When the wind of change blows, some build walls while others build windmills)Les Molloy

LAST MEETING REPORT (by Joy Bickley Asher)

Beyond the wall: Xinjiang – a vast and intriguing place

Dr Les Molloy was the guest speaker at the September meeting of the Wellington branch. He wowed his large and appreciative audience with stories and images of the world beyond the Great Wall and with the fact that he had seen so much of it himself. Dr Molloy called on his many years of experience working for UNESCO and the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) during which he participated in the evaluation of remote areas that had been nominated for World heritage status. He concentrated his comments on the province of Xinjiang but also referred to the other provinces and countries that border Xinjiang. His fast-paced presentation made me want to visit Xinjiang and see its culture, geography and people for myself.

Dr Molloy talked about the cultural history of the region: of significance to both Buddhist and Muslim populations. He explained the origin of the deserts and the impact that had on the local populations. The retreat of the rivers meant they were forced to abandon their cities built around oases. He referred to the avaricious acquisition of many priceless cultural treasures by foreigners. He mentioned the extreme temperatures and the effect of the wind-blown silt or loess on the region. He spoke with sadness of the very high levels of pollution in modern Xinjiang as China’s sorrow and China’s shame. Understandably the population of wild animals such as the magnificent snow leopard is falling dramatically.

On a more positive note, in 2011 the Tianshan Mountains were nominated as a natural site for World Heritage status. To be nominated they have to achieve ten criteria; six cultural and four natural.

MEETING DATES FOR THE REST OF 2012

Wed 21 Nov Her Worship Celia Wade-Brown, Mayor of Wellington, “Mayoral Delegations to China”

Nancy Goddard

OBITUARY – NANCY GODDARD

It is with deep sorrow that we note the passing of Nancy Goddard in Palmerston North on 10 September. Born in 1923 in Wellington, Nancy Wai-Lan Kwok studied at Victoria University where she met George Goddard who introduced her to the modern history of China and the revolution which was under way there. George & Nancy married in 1944 and had 3 sons, Lee, Ben and Danny. They had joined the Wellington Branch of the Communist Party and were active in the protest movements aligned to justice and peace, anti-racism, an Aotearoa nuclear free zone and Maori rights.

Together they joined and helped found the NZCFS in the 1950s. Nancy & George worked tirelessly for the ongoing business of NZCFS through the Wellington Branch, and for many years Nancy was Secretary of both the Wellington Branch and the National Executive of the Society. At the same time Nancy applied her interest in education towards the development of the early childhood sector through the playcentre movement.

Nancy visited China on numerous delegations and on one occasion spoke in the Great Hall of The People in Beijing. She also did voluntary work at the Wellington District Court helping young people, particularly Maori. This and the interest of her husband and son Danny in their Maori culture led her to join the Ngati Poneke Maori Club where, during her involvement over 15 years, she became a Kaumatua (elder).

In later years Nancy was recognized by the Chinese Government with the honorary title of Friendship Ambassador for her contribution to the enhancement of Sino-New Zealand friendship.  On her 70th birthday in 1993 she was recognized by NZCFS for outstanding distinguished service.

In 1997 the Queen acting on the advice of the NZ Government made her a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (CNZM) for community services.

Nancy is acknowledged for building support for China in New Zealand, and building a relationship with the local Maori people: a woman well ahead of her time who just kept working for what she always believed to be right.

Nancy Goddard was made a Life Member of the New Zealand China Friendship Society Inc. in 2002.

BLUE CALICO: PRETTY HANDCRAFT FROM THE SOUTH OF THE YANGTZE RIVER

As blue and white all over, the blue calico is elaborately made of pure cotton cloth, which is weaved manually, through several processes of printing and dyeing techniques. This kind of special handcraft has been popular in the area of the south of Yangtze River since the ancient times, and it is still favoured by people until now. The dye used for printing the blue calico is the indigo tin extracted from bluegrasses, with a clear and bright colour as well as high environment-protection efficiency. The indigo tin can print and dye lucky ornament patterns comprising animals, plants, flowers and birds, such as the phoenixes, peonies, vases, ruyi (as-you-wish). Besides, they also have dramatic characters from the folk stories enjoyed by the common people. These patterns express the common people’s dreams and expectation of a beautiful future. The printing and dyeing of the blue calico also adopts an old manual technique, which is very interesting and unique. Blue calico is usually used to make clothes and other items for daily use. The various simple and original patterns formed by blue and white colours have a fresh and natural charm and the local flavour of the south of the Yangtze River. Due to the simple blue and white designs and colours as well as the old manual manufacturing method, blue calico is increasingly favoured in modern times. (From cultural-china.com, 9/2012, edited.)

MANDARIN CORNER 汉语角 3.15pm Saturdays during school terms

Room 103, 24 Kelburn Parade, Victoria University of Wellington. There is a topic for each session to stimulate interest (may change subject to unforeseen circumstances). All welcome. Gold coin donation.

Due to school holidays and Labour Day weekend there is just one session in October 2012:

27 October 2012 – Inner Mongolia Saxoul Conservation 内蒙古梭梭林保护 – A Talk by Ruifei Tang, PhD Candidate in Environment Studies, Victoria University of Wellington.

Contact: Ellen Yang 杨川, 473-7558, 027-4756888, [email protected]

CHINESE FILM 中国电影 Date: Thursday 25 October Time: 7.00pm

Venue: Committee Room One, Wellington City Council, 101 Wakefield Street. Gold coin donation.

7pm – Documentary, Taiji 太极剑 7.30pm – Feature Film, Full Moon in New York 人在纽约 [1989] 88 min.

Director: Stanley Kwan 关锦鹏

Starring: Sylvia Chang 张艾嘉, Maggie Cheung 张曼玉 and Siqin Gaowa 斯琴高娃

Stanley Kwan’s “Full Moon in New York” is a tale of three very different Chinese women (a passive one from the mainland, an aspiring actress from Taiwan, and a pushy business woman from Hong Kong) living in New York City and their unlikely friendship. Best film and actress Taipei Golden Horse film festival 1989.

With Support from Confucius Institute, Victoria University of Wellington.  http://www.victoria.ac.nz/ci/

CHINESE EMBASSY CELEBRATES 63rd ANNIVERSARY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT OF PRC AND 40th ANNIVERSARY OF NZ CHINA DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS (by Luke Qin 秦瞳)National Day 2102

In commemoration of the 63rd Anniversary of the establishment of the People’s Republic of China and the 40th Anniversary of NZ China Diplomatic Relations, Ambassador XU Jianguo and Madam NI Li hosted a reception at Wellington City Council on 26 September. Minister of Justice and Minister for Ethnic Affairs Judith Collins, Deputy Speaker of the House Eric Roy, Labour Foreign Affairs & Trade Spokesperson Phil Goff, NZ First Leader Winston Peters, members of the diplomatic corps, members of the Chinese Community and international student representatives among other distinguished guests were in attendance. On display was a photo exhibition highlighting the milestones and great achievements of political, economic and cultural exchange between NZ and China in the past 40 years and a toast was proposed to the prosperity and happiness of the peoples and a better future of the NZ China relationship as described by Prime Minister John Key is at its best ever.

CONFUCIUS INSTITUTE NEWS (from the CIVUW team)

Following the success of previously organised Chinese Opera performances, the Wellington Chinese Operatic Society will present another Cantonese Opera night on Monday 15 October. The classic Chinese ancient tale of the Butterfly Lovers – often referred to as the Chinese tale of Romeo and Juliet – will be the theme of this event. Supported by the Confucius Institute of Wellington, this opera night comprises of 7 acts and everybody is welcome to attend free of charge. Read more:  www.victoria.ac.nz/ci/news-events/events.aspx#Cantonese-Opera-Butterfly-Lovers

Gao Xinru (Emily, photo) and Zhang Qian (Melody), two Wellington CI monitored Mandarin Language Assistants (MLA) are coming to the end of their year in New Zealand. Emily provided assistance with the Chinese language programme at Rotorua Boys High School and Melody offered assistance at the Bay of Plenty. Schools who wish to strengthen their Chinese language programme can apply for the placement of an MLA in 2013 through the CIVUW. We wish both Emily and Melody all the best with their careers. Read more:  www.victoria.ac.nz/ci/courses-and-programmes/language-assistants/index.aspx

Rotorua’s success in promoting Chinese language and culture has reached another milestone with the 11th Rotorua Interschools Speech Competition. 175 students from 11 Rotorua based schools participated and numbers of Chinese learners are still increasing to more than 2000 Chinese learners in Rotorua. The CIVUW has been able to support a great number of language and culture activities in Rotorua and hope that it can continue its support in the years ahead. Read more:  www.victoria.ac.nz/ci/news-events/news.aspx#Rotorua-speech

MESSAGE FROM HONORARY MEMBER LU WANRU ON THE PASSING OF NANCY GODDARD

I have just heard of the sad news of the passing of Nancy Goddard. Nancy had been my old friend ever since her first visit to China in 1975. She was such a devoted and capable worker for New-Zealand China Friendship Society and a warm-hearted hostess for all Chinese visitors to NZ. She was regarded a teacher for me to learn how hard the Society members had to work for promoting understanding and friendship with Chinese people in the early years of the 1970s and how much they have achieved since the 1980s in developing our friendly relations. Her personal contribution as National Secretary of the Society will always be honoured and remembered by all her friends here in China. Since I have no way to contact her relations, please pass on my deep sympathy and condolence to Nancy’s family.

With thanks for regularly sending me your newsletter and best wishes to all the leading members of the Wellington Branch, Lu Wanru

INTERNATIONALISATION FOR THE RENMINBIRenMinBi

The Chinese authorities have been working on the design and implementation of a strategy to internationalize China’s currency since 2009, when Zhou Xiaochuan, the Governor of the People’s Bank of China, publicly proposed reforms to the international monetary system. China’s attempts to internationalize the renminbi (RMB) have significant implications for the international monetary system and for economies across the world. China’s RMB strategy is based on two tracks: the use of the RMB in cross-border trade settlement and the creation of an RMB offshore market. A series of policy measures has been introduced since 2009 to facilitate the expansion of the nascent RMB offshore market and to overcome the constraints of the currency’s limited convertibility. Development of the offshore market depends on the supply of liquidity provided by Beijing. At present this market is limited in both size and scope, and funds flow from and to the Mainland mainly through the intermediation of Hong Kong. Hong Kong benefits from being the first mover and from being part of China, but with a separate legal and institutional system. For the time being it will continue to be the main conduit to the onshore market. Offshore centres such as Hong Kong and offshore hubs such as London and Singapore are both complementary and essential to China’s RMB strategy. They are the connecting dots in the expanding RMB offshore market. (From Chatham House, 9/2012, edited.)