Auckland, 16 February 2007

The Right Honorable Helen Clark, Prime Minister of New Zealand,

The Honorable Stuart McCutcheon, Vice Chancellor of the University of Auckland,

Distinguished Government Officials

Director Zhao and Other Officials from China

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It gives me great pleasure and distinct honor to attend the official launching of the first Confucius Institute in New Zealand. On behalf of my wife and the staff of the Chinese embassy and consulate-general, I wish to particularly thank Prime Minister Helen Clark for your gracious presence. Your presence underscores New Zealand's strong commitment to closer political, economic, cultural and educational ties with China, for which we fully appreciate and admire. I also want to thank the University of Auckland for its effective work to get the institute off the ground so quickly.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I have come from a country with a recorded history that stretches at least five millenniums, a history that is teemed with men and women whose vision and admonitions are still nurturing and guiding us as we grapple with today's problems. Confucius was perhaps the most representative ancient sage in this regard.

As the world shrinks thanks to technological advances, we feel an urgent need to develop better communication among countries. The task of securing a peaceful and prosperous world requires that we rise above cultural differences, increase mutual understanding and overcome barriers to common development. The Confucius Institute is our answer to that challenge.

As you know full well, the Chinese language is spoken by nearly one fifth of humanity. It is the key to understanding the rich Chinese culture, and the key to understanding the country that is increasingly important in world affairs. So far, more than 130 Confucius Institutes have been established worldwide. And Chinese is taught in 2300 universities, tens of thousands of primary and secondary schools in more than one hundred countries, New Zealand included.

The Chinese government feels obligated to meet this groundswell of enthusiasm for Chinese language, particularly in the area of training teachers and preparing textbooks. Let me take opportunity to pledge the full support of my office to the Chinese learning across New Zealand and the work of the Confucius Institute of the Auckland University in particular. I have no doubt that with our concerted efforts we will soon see an upsurge in the learning of the Chinese language and Chinese culture in this country.

Ladies and Gentlemen, with the Chinese New Year, the Year of the Pig, only less than 48 hours away, let me wish all of you good health, career success and best luck in your work.

Thank you.