Celebrating 2013 Chinese New Year in Parliament

Fo Guang Shan (FGS) New Zealand Venerable Abbess Manshin was invited by Ministry of Ethnic Affair to Wellington Government Building to celebrate Chinese New Year on 13th of February. Prime Minister John Key was present as well. There were many honorable guests including Minister Hon Judith Collins and China Ambassador Jian Guo, Xu,Parliament members Nicky Wagner and Jami-Lee Ross, Dr Jian Yang, Raymond Huang, New Zealand united Chinese Association president Hui-Fang Yang, China New Zealand development director Ke-Feng Chu ，South Island Temple Supervisor Venerable Jue Xi, Venerable Rulian, BLIA North Island Advisor Peter Young、BLIA South Island president See Shen, Lee, Fo Guang Shan Media member Candice Chia and more than 200 guest from various Chinese organizations.

Lucy Liang who chaired the function explained the meaning of celebrating ”Snake” year in Lunar calendar and played a few short videos which showed how Chinese New Year was celebrated in the past, all over the world including New Zealand. Apart from that, she talked about the milestones achieved by Ethnic Affair Department in the last year and invited Prime Minister John Key to give a speech. Prime Minister John Key thanked the Chinese for their enormous contribution to New Zealand’s economic growth and expressed his wish of strengthening the partnership between China and New Zealand. Not to forgetting to wish everyone a happy Chinese New Year at the end of his speech. Minister Hon Judith Collins gave a speech after PM John Key and encouraged the Chinese to be actively involved in events organized by Ethnic Affair Department. China Ambassador Jian Guo, Xu, New Zealand United Chinese Association president Hui-Fang Yang too were invited to give a speech and they both ascertained the importance of partnership between the two countries and appreciated the partnership as beneficial to both countries. Last but not least, they wished everyone a very successful Year ahead.

Performance of the night included traditional Chinese Dancing and the Lion Dance which was preceded by Female vocalists Lady Ding Man’s rendition. Abbess Manshin wished Prime Minister Hon. John Key well and presented Venerable Master’s calligraphy's word “Unwavering Advancement despite life’s twists and turn leads to the attainment of happiness and wisdom”. She also gave her regards to the guests and described to them how happy it was during the celebration of the FGS.New Zealand Chinese Abassador also expressed his wish of visiting FGS New Zealand in the near future if possible.

The function finally ended at 8pm. This was indeed a night that witnessed the development and achievements of partnership between China and New Zealand. Everyone was optimistic about the coming year.