Consul-General Chen Shijie visited Mr Deng Bangzhen, Rewi Alley’s foster son and a renowned painter, and his wife Lu Bo, a renowned sculptor, on 7 January, accompanied by Vice Consul-General Wang Junchao. 

Mr Chen extended New Year greetings to Mr Deng and Mrs Lu and highly complimented their long-term commitment to promoting China-New Zealand people-to-people friendship. Chen said that Rewi Alley made outstanding contributions to China's revolution and construction as well as China-New Zealand friendship, and left behind valuable spiritual wealth. Chen wished Mr Deng and his wife good health and could continue to carry forward the "Rewi Alley Spirit", and make new and greater contributions to deepening China-New Zealand friendship. 

Mr Deng and his wife recalled the touching deeds of Louis Alley through their artworks and expressed willingness to promote friendship between China and New Zealand.