Post by NZBC on Sept 26, 2015 11:36:17 GMT 12
New Chinese Community of Commerce 'icing on the cake'
6:52 PM Friday Sep 25, 2015
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Rotorua's new Chinese Community of Commerce is the "icing on the cake" for the century old relationship between the city and China, a leading Chinese embassy official says.
Xu Chunman, the embassy's director of the consular section, told a packed council chamber that he looked forward to continuing the relationship between China and Rotorua, which began in the early 1900s when members of the Bow and Kai Fong families established fruit shops and Mong Jook Fong tried market gardening.
"Rotorua is paradise, a haven, such a beautiful setting and a place of harmony," he said.
Eighty per cent of the 300,000 Chinese tourists to New Zealand in the 12 months to the end of June came to Rotorua.
The event, which also included the unveiling of "The Ancient Arts of China" exhibition in the council's galleria, was a wonderful initiative," mayor Steve Chadwick said.
Co-presidents Frank Zhou and Chris Low and their supporters had spent a lot of energy and time in making the commerce a reality.
"Written records about the Chinese in Rotorua are scarce," said Mrs Chadwick who appealed for more information to come forward.
"I have heard a wonderful story though of how Guide Sophie and Guide Bubbles used the visit the Kai Fong's fruit shop to collect the wrappings from the fruit to make poi.
"That was the start of our very special relationship," she said.
"We all know how important China is to the New Zealand economy. It is my belief that our local Chinese business operators will be very important to Rotorua's growing economy. www.nzherald.co.nz/rotorua-daily-post/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503438&objectid=11519034
"I am sure many other great things are going to come from this new organisation and myself and my council look forward to working with you," Mrs Chadwick said.
A collection of official gifts and artworks the council has received from Chinese delegations, associations and visiting dignitaries over the years is now on public display at the council.
It includes a number of traditional scrolls, a large oil painting, silk works, and statuettes. Some of the gifts have been in safe storage so the council is pleased they are now able to be displayed for the public to enjoy.
- Rotorua Daily Post