On November 12th, New Zealand Consulate-General Chengdu opened. John Key, Prime Minister of New Zealand, and Mr. Wei Hong, vice secretary of Sichuan Provincial Committee of the CPC and governor of Sichuan Provincial People’s Government, unveiled the consulate-general and delivered speeches.

　　New Zealand Consulate-General Chengdu with the consular districts including Sichuan, Guizhou, Yunnan, and Chongqing, was the fourth consular institute established in China by New Zealand after in Shanghai, Guangzhou, Hong Kong.

　　In his speech, Mr. John Key stated that in recent years, the bilateral relationship between China and New Zealand had been increasingly deepened and expanded. The bilateral trade volume of 2014 had exceeded 20 billion New Zealand dollars fir the first time. The establishment of New Zealand Consulate-General Chengdu indicated the importance of the relationship between China and New Zealand. The number of consular institutes, 5, had surpassed that established in other countries by New Zealand. New Zealand hoped to strengthen political bond and understanding with Sichuan and welcome more leaders of provincial and municipal level to pay visits to New Zealand. Besides, New Zealand would continue to expand cooperative opportunities in advantageous fields with Sichuan, including aviation, agriculture, food, beverage, environmental technology and so on.

　　On behalf of Sichuan Provincial People's Government, Mr. Wei Hong extended his sincere congratulations on the inauguration of New Zealand Consulate-General Chengdu and his heartfelt gratitude towards New Zealand Government and people for their support in earthquake relief of Wenchuan Massive Earthquake and post-disaster reconstruction. He said that in recent years, with the promotion of Chinese Government, New Zealand Government and consular institutes, cooperation between Sichuan and New Zealand had been continuously deepened and widened. The establishment of New Zealand Consulate-General Chengdu served as a friendship bridge from western China to New Zealand, unveiled a crucial chapter in the exchange history between China and New Zealand, signified a new stage of friendship and would further strengthen our mutual exchanges and cooperation. Sichuan would like to provide necessary convenience for New Zealand Consulate-General Chengdu to operate and created a good working and living environment.

　　Mr. Carl Worker, New Zealand Ambassador to China, Mr. Du Qiwen, Chinese Dialogue Envoy of Pacific Islands Forum, and Mr. Gan Lin, vice governor of Sichuan Provincial People's Government, attended the opening ceremony.