WELLINGTON, July 21 (Xinhua) -- The New Zealand China Friendship Society (NZCFS) is building on its 60-year reputation as one of New Zealand's most trusted institutions in China with the launch of a new Chinese-language website: http://cn. nzchinasociety.org.nz/
Launched on Sunday, the website will help boost trade, cultural and exchange activities between the two nations, said NZCFS National President Dave Bromwich.
The website is part of a wider program to expand NZCFS activities in China and New Zealand, including an ambitious scheme to develop more grassroots cooperatives that have helped lift thousands of rural Chinese people out of a subsistence living on the land.
The NZCFS was established in 1952 and was the main communications link between the two countries until diplomatic ties were established in 1972.
Through its long association with the legacy of Gungho pioneer Rewi Alley, who helped found the industrial cooperatives during China's anti-Janpanese invasion war, the NZCFS has an extensive and distinguished network of connections in China, said Bromwich.
"We're channeling the spirit of Rewi Alley in that he was an incredibly dynamic personality who adapted to circumstances and the times. The NZCFS will be just as dynamic in expanding the many links that exist between the two countries," said Bromwich.
NZCFS Website Administrator and Wellington Branch Vice President Christine Strickland said the society's English website has been in operation since 2011.
David Potts, website designer of both the English and Chinese sites, said that "Although the bilingual re-development was a major undertaking, it has been a worthwhile and enjoyable project to work on."
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