On Sep 28, the Chinese Consulate General in Christchurch hosted a reception celebrating the 73rd anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. Consul General He Ying delivered a keynote speech on the achievements of China’s socio-economic progress in the past 73 years and a review of the fruitful China-New Zealand friendship and cooperation in the past 50 years. She was joined by Mayor of Christchurch Lianne Dalziel, Members of Parliament Sarah Pallett and Penny Simmonds, Mayor of Ashburton Neil Brown, Mayor of Marlborough John Leggett, deputy mayor of Christchurch Andrew Turner together with representatives from Christchurch city council, consular corps, members of friendship societies, and local Chinese communities.