On August 12, Ambassador Wang Lutong and his wife Ms. Yang Pengbo met NZCFS's National President, Mr.Dave Bromwich and representatives from the NZCFS's National Executive Committee. Other attendees included the Director of the Chinese Embassy's Political Section, Mr. Zhang Lei, and the Director of the Chinese Embassy's Cultural Section, Mr. Shen Ming.

Mr.Bromwich and the NZCFS representatives briefed the NZCFS's work in recent years, exchanges with the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) and the NZCFS's future work plan. He noted that 2017 is the 120th anniversary of Rewi Alley's birth (Mr.Alley was the founder of the NZCFS), the 90th anniversary of Mr.Alley's arrival in China and the 30th anniversary of his death. The NZCFS will organize a series of commemorations in both New Zealand and China. The NZCFS hopes that, with the support of the Chinese Embassy, the NZCFS can cooperate with the CPAFFC and local friendship associations to enhance friendship between the two countries.

H.E.Ambassador Wang Lutong highly commended the important role the NZCFS has played over the years in the promotion of mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples. He noted that the Chinese Embassy will maintain close contact and cooperation with the NZCFS and support the NZCFS's organization of commemorations for Mr Rewi Alley next year. Both China and New Zealand should continue Mr Alley's wishes, by consolidating non-governmental relations to promote the further development of China - New Zealand bilateral relations.