Hon. Hekia Parata, Your Worship Mayor Len Brown, Mr. Raymond Huo, Mr. Arthur Loo, dear friends from Chinese Communities, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good Evening!

It is a great pleasure for me to attend tonight's event, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Auckland Chinese Community Centre. On behalf of the Chinese Consulate-General in Auckland, I'd like to extend our warm congratulations and best wishes to members of the Auckland Chinese Community Centre. I would also like to take the opportunity to thank you all for your endeavor and contributions to the strengthening of the friendly and cooperative relationship between China and New Zealand.

Since the founding of the Auckland Chinese Community Centre 50 years ago, the ACCC has won high respect from both the local Government and their fellow kiwis for their active participation in the nation building of New Zealander as well as for the fine traditions they have inherited from their ancestors. The Chinese New Year Festival and the Market Day jointly held by ACCC and other Communities have attracted thousands of people and become big events in Auckland each year. I am glad to see the traditional Chinese life style and customs very well preserved in ACCC and other Chinese Communities in Auckland. I sincerely hope that ACCC will continue to strengthen cooperation with other Chinese Communities, help new Chinese immigrants to integrate to mainstream of local life and promote the harmonious development of different ethic groups in Auckland.

This year also marks the 100th anniversary of China's 1911 Revolution, which brought the Qing dynasty and about 2,000 years of imperial tradition in China to an end. It is a very important milestone of national rejuvenation in the Chinese history and was an epoch-making event that had far-reaching consequences, which finally led to the founding of the People's Republic of China. Dr. Sun Yat-sen as a great patriot and China's forerunner of the democratic revolution has inspired generations of the Chinese people to pursue national unity, independence and democracy. I hope that like 100 years ago, the overseas Chinese will continue to support the great cause of peaceful reunification of the Chinese nation.

Finally, I wish everyone here enjoy good health, happiness, a pleasant evening!

Thank you!