Events held in New Zealand introducing Chinese culture

Launched on November the 9th, a collective showcase of Chinese arts and culture is touring all around New Zealand. Named "Experience China", the series provides New Zealand residents a glimpse of China, as well as its culture.

Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to Brisbane. for the G20 Summit is just the incentive needed to promote China in Australia and New Zealand.  [Special coverage]

Launched on November 9, a collective showcase of Chinese arts and culture is touring all around New Zealand. Named "Experience China", the series provides New Zealand residents a glimpse of China and its culture.

New Zealand is a much favored tourist destination for many from China. From the kiwi fruit, to rugby, to its spectacular landscapes featured as "Middle Earth" in the Lord of the Rings film franchise, the country holds a special interest for Chinese.

But now the tables have turned. The week-long Experience China event is introducing China to New Zealanders.

Photographs and painting exhibitions, intangible cultural heritage demonstrations and book fairs are being held in cities such as Auckland and Christchurch. But perhaps the most eye-catching, jaw-dropping performance has been the Chinese acrobatic performance in Wellington.

"I thought it was fantastic actually, I've never seen anything of that kind," said an audience member.

"It's a great show, and of course it represents the best of China. But what's more, watching such a Chinese performance feels like a homecoming to me," said Liu Qiang, a Chinese living in Wellington.

Another highlight of the Experience China series in New Zealand is a Chinese-themed book fair, which features more than 30,000 copies of Chinese publications for sale. Besides books on globally popular themes such as Chinese medicine, martial arts and Mandarin learning, President Xi Jinping's recent publication, "The Governance of China", is also a bestseller. The book features insights of the Chinese president on political issues and administering a country.