Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou katoa!

It gives me much pleasure to host this celebration of the Chinese Lunar New Year. I extend a very warm welcome to you all, and a special welcome to the Right Honorable David Carter, Speaker of Parliament, and to the Honorable Tim Groser, the Honorable Todd McClay, the Honorable Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga, the Honorable Jo Goodhew, the Honorable Louise Upston and the Honorable Annette King. I know how busy you are, with your numerous responsibilities and tight schedules at the start of this year, so I greatly appreciate your company this evening.

The coming lunar year is the Year of Sheep in the Chinese zodiac. The Year of the Sheep is traditionally associated with peace, prosperity, harmony and good faith. And for Kiwis, the sheep historically represents wealth and it has been a blessing for this country.

Sheep also bring our two countries closer. Many Chinese, including myself and fellow Embassy staff, are devoted consumers of New Zealand's high-quality wool products, and lamb and mutton. I noticed that yesterday happened to be New Zealand's first National Lamb Day. It shows how canny you Kiwis are. Due to surging demand, China has become the second biggest export market for New Zealand lamb. Maybe, right now, thousands of Chinese, wearing Icebreaker or Kathmandu sweaters, are gathering with family and friends around the hot pot and enjoying boiled mutton imported from New Zealand. This is a good example of what our mutually beneficial relationship means for our two peoples.

Last November, Chinese President Xi Jinping paid a successful and historic visit to New Zealand. The most important deliverable of the visit was raising our bilateral relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. It is more than just words. It was supported by nearly 40 concrete cooperation agreements and other consensuses between two sides. The area of pragmatic cooperation has widened from primary industry to science, finance, investment, telecommunications, food security and Antarctica. New Zealand's seat on the United Nation Security Council has also created a platform for cooperation on international affairs. We can proudly say that President Xi's visit opened a new era for this great partnership. Please allow me to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt thanks to all those who have worked tirelessly to advance our relationship.

Dear friends,

The Chinese people have celebrated the Lunar New Year for more than 4,000 years. It is now one of the most widely-celebrated and significant festivals in Asia and around the world. It is a time of family reunion, representing the Chinese nation's idea of pursuing harmony and happiness. This occasion is not only about individual families, but also about the big family: our nation as a whole. A famous Chinese saying goes: Harmony in a family brings success to everything. The Chinese people are unremitting in pursuing social harmony and common prosperity, which are essential to the Chinese Dream.

The concept of valuing harmony and peace has been deeply embedded in generations of Chinese. It is an important concept, underpinning the conduct of personal relationships, the relationships between man and nature and between nations. Everything is possible as long as we have dreams, pursuits and dedication, backed with great efforts. Chinese, like New Zealanders and other peoples of the world, have their dreams. In the process of realizing national rejuvenation, China will join other countries to advance the realization of their people's dreams, enhance their vitality and expand their prospects in the world. China will continue to open to the world, advance mutually beneficial cooperation and champion the joint creation and sharing of development opportunities among nations. When I consider this great vision, I see a bright future for China and the China-New Zealand relationship.

This is my second Chinese New Year since taking up the post of ambassador in Wellington. In the past year and a half, I have had the privilege of working with New Zealand friends from all walks of life and the Chinese community to help develop this great partnership. In the year ahead, let us work harder, and be bolder and more innovative in exploring cooperation opportunities that further enhance the China-New Zealand relationship.

Once again, thank you for coming, and very happy Chinese New Year!

Thank you.