Embassy Joins Wellington Chinese Students for Mid-Autumn Gala

Summary

More than 300 Chinese students from the Wellington region gathered at Victoria University on 27 September 2026 for a Mid-Autumn Festival gala. Tang Jun, Counsellor for Education, Science, Culture and Health at the Chinese Embassy in New Zealand, and Xu Tong, Director of the Wellington Chinese Cultural Centre, attended. Counsellor Tang delivered Mid-Autumn greetings on behalf of Ambassador Wang Xiaolong, saying the motherland cares deeply for students abroad.

She encouraged them to align their personal development with the nation's development and to serve the country through overseas study; to respect local culture, tell China's story well and act as envoys of China-New Zealand friendship; and to abide by the law, strengthen safety awareness and look after their physical and mental health, setting an example for safe study abroad. The embassy will work with local universities to support students' safe study in New Zealand. The gala featured instrumental music, vocal performances, dance and recitation, celebrating the motherland's achievements while expressing homesickness, drawing constant applause in a warm and lively atmosphere.

Commentary

Chinese students make up a significant share of New Zealand's higher education market. International student numbers recovered to 85 percent of pre-pandemic levels in 2025, with Chinese students accounting for about 30 percent of that total. Universities such as Victoria University are actively expanding partnerships with Chinese institutions to attract more students.

The embassy's coordination with universities not only strengthens services for international students but also adds stability to China-New Zealand education cooperation. For NZ SMEs, student spending is an important support for local retail, hospitality and rental markets, especially in student-concentrated cities such as Wellington. At the same time, as Chinese students return, demand for services tailored to them is rising, creating opportunities in niche areas such as Chinese-language tutoring, Asian food supply and cross-border logistics.

On the other hand, New Zealand's education export sector faces competition from Australia, Canada and other countries. The embassy's support measures help enhance New Zealand's appeal as a study destination, indirectly benefiting the local economy. SMEs could look at business opportunities around universities, such as launching lifestyle services or cultural experience programmes aimed at Chinese students.

Keywords: Wellington Chinese Students Mid-Autumn Festival Gala, Chinese Embassy in New Zealand, Tang Jun, Victoria University, China-New Zealand friendship envoys, safe study abroad, Ambassador Wang Xiaolong, Wellington Chinese Cultural Centre

Summary in Chinese | 摘要

2026年9月27日，惠灵顿中国留学人员中秋晚会在维多利亚大学举办，驻新西兰使馆负责教科文事务的参赞唐筠、惠灵顿中国文化中心主任徐彤出席，300余名在惠留学人员参加。唐筠参赞代表王小龙大使为学子们送上中秋祝福，表示祖国母亲十分关爱异乡学子，勉励同学们将个人成长融入国家发展，争做留学报国楷模；尊重当地文化，讲好中国故事，当好中新友好使者；遵纪守法、强化安全意识、关注身心健康，做平安留学的榜样。驻新使馆将联动当地高校，为同学们平安留学保驾护航。

晚会节目精彩纷呈，包含器乐、声乐、舞蹈、朗诵等，既歌唱祖国成就又寄托思乡之情，观众掌声不断，气氛温暖热烈。

Commentary in Chinese | 评论

中国留学生群体在新西兰高等教育市场中占据重要份额，2025年国际学生人数已恢复至疫情前水平的85%，其中中国学生占比约30%。维多利亚大学等高校正积极拓展与中国院校的合作项目，以吸引更多生源。此次使馆与高校的联动，不仅强化了留学生服务，也为中新教育合作注入稳定性。

对NZ SME而言，留学生消费是本地零售、餐饮和租房市场的重要支撑，尤其在惠灵顿等学生集中城市。同时，随着中国学生回流，针对华人学生的服务需求上升，如中文辅导、亚洲食品供应、跨境物流等细分领域存在商机。另一方面，新西兰教育出口面临澳大利亚、加拿大等国的竞争，使馆的关怀举措有助于提升新西兰作为留学目的地的吸引力，间接惠及本地经济。

中小企业可关注高校周边的商业机会，如开设针对中国学生的生活服务或文化体验项目。

关键词: 惠灵顿中国留学人员中秋晚会, 驻新西兰使馆, 唐筠, 维多利亚大学, 中新友好使者, 平安留学, 王小龙大使, 惠灵顿中国文化中心

Source: Embassy of the People's Republic of China in New Zealand – China-New Zealand Relations