A cultural exhibition sponsored by the New Zealand government
opened in Beijing Tuesday to mark the 35th anniversary of
diplomatic relations between China and New Zealand.
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"New Zealand, New Thinking" China Exhibition tour, the first
national exhibition organized by New Zealand in China, showcases
the landscape, people, and places on the Asia-Pacific rim, New
Zealand diplomats said at a press conference Tuesday.
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New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark made a live video speech
and answered questions from journalists at the press
conference.
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Clark said China is extremely important to New Zealand.
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"We hope the exhibition will give Chinese people a better
understanding of New Zealand today and it is very appropriate that
this exhibition is being held in this 35th anniversary year of
diplomatic relations with China," said Clark.
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The exhibition, to last until March 25 in Beijing, will include
a panoramic film, images of the New Zealand landscape, interactive
experiences demonstrating "green screen" technology which was used
during filming of The Lord of the Rings, a model produced
by the award-winning Weta Workshop and information about the
country's innovative and creative industries.
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Two New Zealand performance groups will treat audiences to a
high-energy percussion ensemble and traditional and contemporary
Maori and Pacific Island music.
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The two-month exhibition will tour Beijing, Shanghai, Wuhan, and
Guangzhou.
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China and New Zealand established diplomatic ties on December
22, 1972. New Zealand was the first western country to sign
bilateral agreements, after China entered the World Trade
Organization, to grant China full market economy status and to
begin negotiating a free trade agreement with China.
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(Xinhua News Agency March 14, 2007)
