New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark extended warm congratulations on the New Zealand-China Friendship Society's 50th birthday and highly praised the Society for its contributions to enhancing the friendship between the two peoples and two countries.

The prime minister's greetings were conveyed by Member of Parliament Diaane Yates at the society's two-day birthday celebration and its 2002 national conference ending in Hamilton Sunday.

Yates said Prime Minister Clark has stressed that New Zealand should develop "a strong and productive relationship" with its Asia Pacific neighbors and supported the society's aims.

Prime Minister Clark hopes to see smooth and fast development of New Zealand-China ties in all fields and has been grateful for what the Society has done in the fields of politics, economy, culture education and tourism, he added.

The celebration activities and the annual conference took place in Hamilton, which is New Zealand's fourth largest city and also the sister city of Wuxi in East China.

Mayor of Hamilton David Braithwaite opened the functions and said this year sees two significant events in the New Zealand-China ties: the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations and the 50th anniversary of the Society.

He added strong relations between New Zealand and China are flourishing and Hamilton is willing to further exchanges with Wuxi and other parts of China in economy, culture, education and tourism.

National President of the Society Bill Willmott made a work report. In his report, Willmott said when the Society was first founded, it was practically the only connection New Zealand had with China. The Society founders were clearly focused on the explaining the Chinese revolution to New Zealanders and working politically for diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Half a century later, he added, extensive ties have been set up between the two countries. In these circumstances, Willmott said, the Society needs to "examine our place in the new pattern of New Zealand-China relations.

"We must face the challenge of an aging and diminishing membership by finding new ways of pursuing our aims, new activities that will foster understanding and friendship between New Zealand and China by attracting a younger and growing membership."

A delegation of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries led by Su Guang attended the functions.

Su praised members of the Society for their devotion to the promotion of relations between the two countries over the past 50 years.

Their perseverance, he said, has finally borne fruitful results. He said that his organization will be happy to upgrade its cooperation with the Society.

At the conference, new national committee members were elected with Robin Brown elected as national president to replace Bill Willmott.

Brown told Xinhua that his immediate aim is to actively expand contacts with the Chinese people.

"I'll do my best and I have the confidence to do the job well," he said.

(Xinhua News Agency June 24, 2002)