Group hosting international business event known for charity

Auckland group hosting important international business event is well-known for its charitable work.

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From The 20th Convention of Teochew international Federation News Center

The Auckland-based group that won the right to host an important international business event, that launches later this week, is well known in the Kiwi-Asian community for its charity work.

The Chao Shan General Association of New Zealand is set to start hosting the 20th Convention of Teochew International Federation, which will be held in two parts – from March 17-19, and from September 27-29. It will be an opportunity for the country to promote tourism, commerce, logistics and educational products to nearly 2,000 overseas industry investors.

The association -- one of the biggest associations in New Zealand, with 3,000 registered members -- won the hosting rights at a closely contested bidding competition during the last convention.

The international biennial business event has been running since 1981 and was originally set up as a networking opportunity for expat Teochew residents from the Chaoshan area of Guangdong Province, China.

The Chao Shan General Association of New Zealand is listed on the official website of the National Ethnicity Community Department's official website. This is a government website which selects only 10 Chinese associations, and this is also an affirmation of its reputation.

The association regularly raises funds for social service agencies such as the New Zealand Police, Dementia Auckland, St John Ambulance Services and Auckland City Mission, and also helps these institutions to transmit public health information to those in need.

There are currently more than 70,000 Teochew immigrants in New Zealand, many of whom are grateful for the humanitarian acceptance and retention of the New Zealand government.

Teochew refugees have been relocating to New Zealand since the 1970s, largely as a result of harsh Chinese trade exclusion policies in Southeast Asia. Some emigrated from Hong Kong around 1997. More have been coming to call New Zealand home since immigration restrictions on mainland Chinese were relaxed in 2000.

According to incomplete statistics, there are more than 60 million Teochew people from all over the world. As one of the bridges connecting the Teochew people at home and abroad, Chao Shan General Association of New Zealand upholds the Teochew culture and unites Teochew people from all regions to promote the cooperation between New Zealand and other countries. The exchanges and cooperation between countries contribute to the prosperity of Teochew people.

At present, the management and members of Chao Shan General Association of New Zealand are originally from China, Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and Western European countries.

The Chao Shan General Association of New Zealand unites many highly respected local businessmen and family who are successful in their careers. Mr. Yikun Zhang, the Chairman of the founding committee, dedicated himself to the society and won the New Zealand National Hero Medal and the Member of New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) awarded by the Queen. Chairman of the Consultative Committee Kit Wong was selected in Manukau Hall of Fame in 2009, and the Member of New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) in 2011. The current Chairman Mr. Shijia Zheng and the Chairman of the New Zealand Chao Shan Youth Association, Mr. Zhi Chen have been appointed as the Justice of the Peace. Chief Secretary Song Lam, Executive Vice Chairman Rean Wong, have received government recognition for their long-term service to the society.

The Chao Shan General Association also has subsidiary groups such as Chao Shan Youth Association, Chao Shan General Association in South Island, Chao Shan Art Group and Chao Shan Martial Art Team.

The Chao Shan General Association office, located in the Onehunga district of Auckland, covers an area of 3,800 square meters and includes a multi-purpose event hall and an upstairs reception, multiple meeting rooms, a meeting hall, a secretary general's office and a chairman's office.

The bidding to host the 20th Convention of Teochew International Federation was supported by the two Prime Ministers of New Zealand, Chinese Premier Keqiang Li and other heads of state, and more people from all walks of life participated and helped. Chairman Yikun Zhang’s speech in Indonesia (excerpt) was quoted here to acknowledge our supporters.

Chairman Zhang Yikun said: “I would like to thank the New Zealand and Auckland governments and the two prime ministers and mayors, the New Zealand ruling party and the opposition party and their party leaders. I also thank Chinese Premier Keqiang Li and Foreign Minister Yi Wang and various government departments in China, politicians and political parties who trust and help us. Your support helps us to succeed in the bidding, so that we can serve as a bridge for the people of the world and contribute to the friendship between New Zealand and all other countries!

“I would also like to thank the Minister of Ethnic Affairs of New Zealand, the Parliament members Raymond Huo and Jian Yang, the Parliament, and the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the embassy and consulate officials in Beijing, Guangzhou, Hong Kong and Indonesia for their continued assistance!

“I would like to thank the media and journalists from New Zealand for their follow-up visits and timely reports on the bidding activities. This has enhanced the influence of the Teochew International Federation in the world, so that Teochew International Federation becomes a high-value brand.

“I am also grateful to the competitors. It is your competition to keep us to fight with all the energy to get the hosting right! I would also like to thank more than 100 New Zealand communities in New Zealand and all the New Zealand Teochew folks who are standing behind me. You are a strong backing for today's success!

“We love peace, and advocate freedom, simplicity and happiness. We are willing to try our best for Chao Shan General Association of New Zealand, the 20th Convention of Teochew International Federation, and New Zealand's development, happiness and glory!”

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