WELLINGTON — The 2019 China-New Zealand Year of Tourism was launched in Wellington on March 30 with an aim to strengthen economic and cultural ties between the two countries.

An official ceremony was held at Wellington’s Te Papa Tongawera, Museum of New Zealand, and attended by high-level officials and hundreds of representatives from the tourism industry in both countries.

Minister of Culture and Tourism Luo Shugang read the welcoming message by Premier Li Keqiang for the opening ceremony.

“Tourism is an important area of our cooperation and a driving force for our peoples’ mutual understanding and friendly ties. Chinese tourists are attracted by scenic beauty and cultural diversity of New Zealand, and visitors from New Zealand marvel at China’s natural wonders and rich heritage as an ancient civilization,” Premier Li said in the message.

“Last year, around 600,000 visits were exchanged between the two countries. China remains the second largest overseas tourist market of New Zealand,” Premier Li said.

“The China-New Zealand Year of Tourism presents an opportunity for our two countries to enhance tourism cooperation through people-to-people contact. More people-to-people contact between China and New Zealand will increase our mutual knowledge and awareness, which are central to more popular support for our bilateral relations and cooperation,” the Premier said.