A delegation headed by his Excellency Mr Zhao Leji, Chairman of the Standing Committee of Shaanxi Provincial People’s Congress, visited the Confucius Institute at the University of Canterbury on August 6 2012. The delegation donated series of books to the Confucius Institute. The books are mainly about Shaanxi local history and culture as well as traditional Chinese culture in general.

The delegation was warmly welcomed by Dr Nello Angerilli, PVC International, Prof Ed Adelson, PVC Arts, and Prof Paul Fleming, PVC Science. During the meeting, his Excellency Mr Zhao Leji made a brief introduction to the history of Xi’an, capital city of Shaanxi Province, the local customs of Shaanxi Province and the educational and research institutions in the province.

At the following Book Donation Ceremony, by citing the Confucian saying, “In the application of rites, harmony is to be prized,” his Excellency Mr Zhao Leji urged the staff of the Confucius Institute as well as the Chinese students at UC to apply the Chinese harmonious ideology in their daily life of study, work and behaviour so as to dedicate their own contribution to the friendship between Chinese and NZ people. A wider communication between the delegates and the students, staff and representatives of the local Chinese communities was conducted thereafter.