AUCKLAND, New Zealand, Sept. 20 (Xinhua) -- Overseas Chinese people celebrated the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China on Friday at the Auckland SKYCITY theater in New Zealand.
According to the organizers, approximately 300 artists performed at the concert themed 2019 Cultures of China-Huaxing Gala Night with over 800 audiences.
The show started with the song "Singing to the motherland" and ended with "Today is my birthday, my motherland".
The Falling solo, the group dance "Tang Dynasty Style", the Chinese classical dance "Mulan", and the Sichuan Opera "Face Changing" received rapturous applause during the event.
Zhou Wei, vice Chinese consul-general in Auckland, said, "Today China stands as the second-largest economy in the world, and the achievement cannot be made without the valuable contribution of overseas Chinese, including overseas Chinese compatriots in New Zealand and Auckland."
This year also marks the 47th anniversary of China-New Zealand diplomatic relations and the China-New Zealand tourism year.
Zhou noted that China-New Zealand relations have maintained a strong momentum of development and created many firsts. "For many years in a row, China has been New Zealand's largest trading partner, largest source of international students and second largest source of overseas tourists. The Belt and Road Initiative that both sides jointly promoted have beared some early harvest."
"The win-win cooperation between us will surely usher in a brighter era, which will benefit not only China and New Zealand, but also the Asia Pacific region and the whole world," said Zhou.
Deborah Russell, New Zealand Labor Party MP, stressed, "I am happy to be here to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the establishment of the People's Republic of China."
Zhang Wanlu, an audience, said, "The show is elegant, with the typical Chinese cultural elements. As a Chinese who lives overseas for a long time, it is my privilege to attend the event tonight, to celebrated the 70th anniversary of birthday of motherland."
The event is organized by Huaxing Arts Troupe, New Zealand Culture and Arts Foundation, and New Zealand Chinese Culture and Arts Exchange Center.
