New Zealand's increasingly friendly relations with China has received a boost with the blessing of the 7.6 million NZ dollars (6.85 million U.S. dollars) Chinese garden in the South Island city of Dunedin.
Photo taken on June 10, 2008 shows a corner of Dunedin Chinese garden, in Dunedin, a south city of New Zealand. The ribbon-cutting ceremony of Dunedin Chinese garden was held on Tuesday in Dunedin. New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark attended the blessing, along with Chinese Ambassador to New Zealand Zhang Yuanyuan Tuesday.
Ambassador Zhang said New Zealand had proved to be a good friend of China.
"During my watch as ambassador, I have watched the two countries achieve a lot, not the least the signing of the free trade agreement. But we can still do more."
The Dunedin Chinese garden showed that if sister city ties were pursued with vigor, they would go a long way to educating people about cultural diversity and that working together with people built a harmonious world, he said.
Zhang, who later admitted to visiting many Chinese gardens around the world, rated the Dunedin garden as his top pick.
Clark said the FTA was a great achievement, but there was so much else happening in the relationship between China and New Zealand and it was important that culture continued to play a big role.
The Chinese had a long history in the province after they trekked into Central Otago in search of gold.
Some had returned to set up businesses in Dunedin or start their market gardens.
What mattered to Chinese people was how their achievements and culture were viewed around the world and included into society.
"People in China viewing these gardens will see the contribution of the Chinese community made to Otago has been fully recognized."
A high-level visit from Chinese city of Shanghai would be "the icing on the cake" for Dunedin, she said.
Clark described the gardens as a dream come true.
When she first saw the old site, she found it to be one of the least prepossessing sites she had seen.
"We knew a lot of big-vision community projects were in trouble as the Lotteries Commission did not have a lot of money in kitty. There was a need for us to fill the gap."
The Government provided 3.75 million NZ dollars in funding to help develop the "must see" gardens, she said.
"This is more beautiful than I ever anticipated."
Dunedin Mayor Peter Chin said the blessing symbolized the lifting of the tapu which would allow the gardens trust soon to open the garden.
He acknowledged the dedication of site foreman Warren McKewen, who was fighting a serious health condition, the Shanghai Municipal Government, the Shanghai Museum, Ambassador Zhang and Prime Minister Clark.
He also acknowledged the "substantial contribution" he had received from Dunedin North MP Pete Hodgson and Dunedin South MP David Benson-Pope.
Also attending the blessing, done by the Anglican Bishop of Dunedin George Connor, were Kuao Langsbury, Barney Taiapa, Madame Wang, representing the Shanghai Museum, and Chinese Gardens Trust Deputy Chairman Peter Sew Hoy.
Source: Xinhua
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