New Chinese Consul General to be welcomed

Dunedin (Wednesday, 8 October 2014) – Dunedin will play host to the new Chinese Consul General tomorrow and Friday.

The Honourable Jin Zhijian took over the Christchurch based role just last month and this will be his first visit to Dunedin.

Dunedin Mayor Dave Cull says having the new Consul General come to the city so early in his tenure is significant.

“He is a vastly experienced diplomat who has served all over the world, from Iceland and Denmark to Chicago, and fulfilled important positions within the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Beijing.

“Being able to have someone of Mr Jin’s calibre in the South Island is a sign of how much the Chinese value their relationship with us and the importance of our links with Shanghai.”

Before coming to New Zealand Mr Jin’s most recent role was as Deputy Director-General, Protocol Department, in the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Beijing.

While here Mr Jin will meet with the Mayor and visit a range of places including Toitū Otago Settlers Museum, the Chinese Garden, Olveston, Larnach Castle and the University of Otago.

Dunedin-Shanghai Association Chairman Malcom Wong says they will also be taking him to the Southern Cemetery to visit the Chinese gold miners’ grave sites there.

“Mr Jin mentioned specifically that he wanted to visit the cemetery and pay his respects to the ancestors.

“The local Chinese community are very supportive of him coming and are looking forward to spending time with him.”

Mr Jin will be accompanied by his wife He Linyun, the Consul for Economic and Commerical Affairs Fan Jianghong, and the Consul for Policy and Information Luo Songtao.

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