Hon. Rear Admiral Yan Zhengming, Commander of PLA Ship Zheng He,

Dr. Yang Jian, Member of Parliament of New Zealand

Honorable Mayor Phil Goff,

Captain David Guy McEwan,

Distinguished Guests, Dear Friends,

Ladies and gentlemen,

Good evening!

It gives me great pleasure to attend this deck reception. First of all, please allow me on behalf of the Chinese Consulate General in Auckland to extend a very warm welcome to PLA Navy Ship Zheng He’s visit to Auckland and pay high tribute to all commanders, officers and soldiers on board.

Also, I would like to take this opportunity to express our sincere gratitude to all the friends present here this evening from New Zealand navy, government, media, Chinese companies, overseas Chinese community, Chinese students and local people from all walks of life.

China is committed to peaceful development, and resolved to pursue friendly relations with all the countries in the world. PLA Navy is a significant force to maintain peace and stability in the region and beyond. In the fifteenth century, the greatest Chinese navigator Zheng He commanded a series of seven voyages to the west. The highlights of these voyages were peace, friendship and cooperation. Today, PLA Navy ship Zheng He, named after the great navigator, is also visiting here as a friendly messenger, for the noble mission of promoting the friendship and cooperation between China and New Zealand.

New Zealand is one of China's important cooperative partners. It is a natural extension of the 21st Maritime Silk Road. The bilateral relations have been hailed as a model of relations between China and western countries. This year witnesses the fast development of China-New Zealand comprehensive strategic partnership. The political mutual trust has been constantly strengthened. There are many substantial progresses in the fields of trade, investment, aviation connectivity, culture, education, tourism, law-enforcement and others. Next year marks the 45th anniversary of the establishment of China-New Zealand diplomatic relationship. The two countries will take this as an opportunity to sum up successful experience and practices, deepen bilateral cooperation in various fields so as to bring more benefits to both peoples.

In the defense field, the friendly exchanges and cooperation between our two armies are in a very good shape. We have seen many high level visits, constructive dialogues and close cooperation in training, peace keeping and joint exercises. Zheng He ship’s visit is one of the highlights. It has become the third PLA navy ship that visited New Zealand this year, which is unprecedented in the history. This visit will further strengthen friendly exchanges, mutual understanding and cooperation between the two navies. It is of great significance and will become a new milestone in the history of military-to-military contacts between our two countries.

I Wish Navy Ship Zheng He’s visit a complete success!

Have a very enjoyable evening.

Thank you!