On 25th June, the Confucius Institute at the University of Canterbury (CIUC) held a farewell reception for the eight MLAs leaving in July to recognise their hard work in New Zealand schools. The Deputy Consul-General of P R China to Christchurch LI Xin and the Education Consul LI Yucai attended the occasion and presented the MLAs with their certificates.

LI Xin expressed his appreciation of the eight MLAs admirable contribution to the promotion of Chinese Language teaching and their work raising the awareness of Chinese culture in New Zealand. He also stressed that thanks to the MLAs’ commitment and resilient personalities when facing the obstacles in work and life, pockets of Chinese culture can spring forth in every corner of the South Island.

One of the departing MLAs CHEN Yunbing, who has worked two years in Oamaru, said, “I was quiet and introverted before coming to New Zealand, and now I have grown into an independent and outgoing person”. Another MLA LIU Dong, who has taught in Christchurch for one year, said that she really enjoyed spending time with Kiwi kids and thought they were all very smart and quick to learn a new language.

Finally, the director of CIUC Assoc Prof Adam Lam expressed his best wishes to all eight MLAs, encouraging them to take their experience in NZ as a new starting point for their future lives.