<strong>The</strong> <strong>Star</strong> Thursday <strong>July</strong> <strong>11</strong> <strong>2024</strong> A Sincere Invitation from Thousands of Kilometers Away He Ying Dear New Zealand Friends, Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Christchurch A line from Chinese classical poem reads, “Good friends feel close even when they are thousands of miles apart.” Such is the case between China and New Zealand. Despite being separated by thousands of kilometers, the two countries have fostered a deep connection. Since the establishment of the diplomatic relationship, our friendship has stood the test of time and continues to flourish with fruitful cooperation in various fields, bringing tangible benefits to the people of both nations. Not long ago, Chinese Premier Li Qiang visited New Zealand and announced China’s visa free policy for New Zealanders, injecting new vitality into the people-to-people exchanges between the two countries. <strong>The</strong> visa free policy will officially take effect from <strong>July</strong> 1st this year to December 31st next year. During this period, ordinary passport holders from New Zealand who come to China for business, tourism, visiting relatives and friends, and transit for no more than 15 days can enter China without a visa. As the Chinese Consul General in Christchurch, I sincerely invite our kiwi friends to visit China and explore this magnificent nation with 5,000 years of history and a rapidly evolving modern civilization. China is a hotspot for investment and business. In 2023, China registers a 5.2 percent year-on-year growth, ranking among the top of major world economies and remaining an important powerhouse driving global growth. <strong>The</strong> vast market of 1.4 billion people, a robust manufacturing base, increasing technological innovation capabilities, inclusive and accommodating opening-up policies, modern infrastructure, and continuously improving business environment will all create more opportunities for the global business community. <strong>The</strong> economies of China and New Zealand are highly complementary, offering vast cooperation prospects. During his recent visit, Premier Li Qiang together with Prime Minister Christopher Luxon witnessed the signing of multiple bilateral cooperation documents in fields such as services trade, business environment, agricultural and food exports, science and technology, patent examination, and migratory bird protection, injecting strong momentum for greater development of China-New Zealand relations in the new era. We welcome our kiwi friends to visit China and seek more business opportunities and partners. Like New Zealand, China is also a fascinating tourist destination. With its vast territory and abundant tourism resources, China boasts magnificent mountains and rivers, diverse folk customs and traditions, unique flora and fauna, and countless historical sites. Its distinctive opera, music, dance, and world-renowned cuisine attract numerous visitors from around the globe every year. From the ice and snow world in the north to the tropical rainforests in the south, from the bustling cities in the east to the majestic plateaus in the west, every inch of China is blessed with unique folk customs and cultural charisma, which worth your visit and savoring. You can sip tea on the ancient city wall of Xi’an, tracing the marks of Chinese ancient history. You can hold a parasol by West Lake in Hangzhou, experiencing Chinese poetic romance. You can enjoy a dance performance in Old Town of Lijiang in Yunnan Province, experiencing the unique Naxi ethnic culture. You can watch the desert sunset by Crescent Lake in Dunhuang, feeling the vast and spectacular view of northwest China. When you get tired, please take a break and savor Chinese cuisine. <strong>The</strong> crispy and tender Beijing roast duck, the spicy but delicious Sichuan hotpot, the exquisite Canton dim sum—each dish showcases the unique flavors of different regions in China, adding a special yummy memory to your journey. Dear kiwi friends, China’s door is wide open to you. Once again, we sincerely invite you to visit China, and we look forward to you spending a wonderful time and creating unforgettable memories in this beautiful land. This advertisement is paid for by the Chinese Consulate 20 LETTERS Homeless people are citizens too. <strong>The</strong>y may be living in the street, because they are broken or caring. <strong>The</strong>y deserve the same respect as everyone else. Sure they shouldn’t be aggressive. But if they come into your shop because it’s cold outside maybe offer them a chair to sit on for a while. Councillor Jake McLellan sounds like he’s onto it and is going to do the right thing (<strong>The</strong> <strong>Star</strong>, <strong>July</strong> 4). I think something should be done soon by the sound of it. -Kathy Stanton Too many roadworks I hardly ever moan about anything, but I am utterly annoyed as to how many road works are happening around Christchurch at any one time. Honestly, over the last weekend and all this week I’m pretty sure I went through at least 20 to 30 jobs happening. If not more. Sure, I understand roads, drains, water, underground utilities, need to be addressed, but so many at one time? And then what really gets under my skin is you drive through and look around to only see about six to 10 people on site and some of them just standing around yakking or their hands in their pockets getting paid god knows how much. And then over the weekends, no one working but still all the cones are still blocking half the road. Could say more, but that will do. -R Murray Rugby failings I wrote last week about the lack of splendour in the current way rugby is played and ruled. <strong>The</strong> New Zealand v England game was a clear example of the inadequacy of the game. This game was a BEGGING: <strong>The</strong> city council is considering a bylaw to prohibit aggressive begging. PHOTO: GETTY ‘Homeless people deserve respect’ oN sAle Now! Now only $35.80 Plus $5 P&H per copy AvAilAble from stAr mediA: Level One, 359 Lincoln Road Addington, Christchurch Phone 379 7100 great battle of attack, defence and counter attack, but in the end it was decided on two people, the kickers – or lack thereof. That’s a true reflection of modern rugby. As an aside I still find it hard to see why the scrum and some mauling penalties were given. Also it was essentially how the game could have been won or lost. If nothing else, more free kicks please. -Alan Trenberth Beer nostalgia I’m 43 and absolutely loved Canterbury Draught (<strong>The</strong> <strong>Star</strong>, <strong>July</strong> 4). Back in my younger days, I used to drink up at the Chancery and also played competition pool on a Wednesday night for the Jolly Poacher. At the end of the season all the teams around Christchurch would have their prizegiving up at the Canterbury Draught brewery. We’d have a free two hours drinking put up there for us. Absolutely great memories. I actually miss that beer. -Brent Garlick We want to hear your views on the issues affecting life in Canterbury Send emails to: barry@ starmedia.kiwi Letters may be edited or rejected at <strong>Star</strong> Media’s discretion. Letters should be about 200 words. A name, postal address and phone number should be provided. Please use your real name, not a nickname, alias, pen name or abbreviation. 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