Dr. Yang Jian, Mr Tony Hannifin and Mr. Jami-Lee Ross,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good evening! I'm so delighted to be present for the opening of the Photography Exihibiton of Rewi Alley, an old friend and a great comrade of Chinese people.

In late 1920s, Rewi Alley went to China and devoted 60 years of his life to the liberation and wellbeing of Chinese people, to introduce China to the world and to promote the mutual understaning between China and New zealand. Just as Edgar Snow, the famous American journalist has said, Rewi Alley is unique because he has achieved greatness in a country where few foreigners ever manage to achieve an authentic ripple.

Rewi Alley has become a symbol of the long established friendship of China and New Zealand. Inspired by his heroic deeds, more and more people, including all of you here, are committed to promote our friendship and strengthen our bilateral ties. Thanks to your remarkable contributions, the China-New Zealand relations are booming as never before.

This year will witness the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relationship between China and New Zealand. The two countries have had frequent exchanges at the top and other levels, engaged in extensive and fruitful exchanges and co-operation in such areas as business, trade, culture, education and tourism.

Against such a backdrop, it's siginificant to organize such an exhibition to review the great achievements of our pioneer and encourage more to join us to advance the relations between China and New Zealand to a new level.

Thank you and I wish this exhibition great success.