On February 12, 2025, coinciding with the Lantern Festival, the Auckland International Art Space in New Zealand ushered in a cultural event – the results of the third New Zealand Vision Chinese Character Selection were officially announced. This year’s vision Chinese character “Shun” stood out, implying smooth health, harmony and beauty. It not only carries the good wishes of overseas Chinese for the future, but also symbolizes the smooth development of cultural exchanges between China and New Zealand.
The character "Shun" was selected: carrying a beautiful vision and illuminating the road to progress
As the Chinese character for the vision of the Year of the Snake in 2025, the selection of the character “Shun” has far-reaching significance. In Chinese culture, the snake symbolizes agility and wisdom, while the character “Shun” implies that everything goes well and people’s hearts are harmonious, which fits the current global development trend and the common expectations of the Chinese for the future. The selection activity received positive responses from all walks of life, and finally the character “Shun” stood out with its profound cultural connotations and beautiful meanings, becoming the annual cultural symbol of the Chinese community in New Zealand.
The announcement was witnessed and congratulated by many guests, including Mr. Mike Dawson, Chairman of the Auckland Branch of the New Zealand China Friendship Association, Mr. Wang Jianwen, Director of the Auckland Chinese Cultural Center, Mr. Jin Yahao, President of the New Zealand Chinese Calligraphers Association, Mr. Fu Jinzhi, Vice President, and Mr. William Yuan, Executive President of the New Zealand China Investment and Trade Promotion Association.
Calligraphy and Painting Art Exhibition: An Art Feast of the Integration of Chinese and New Zealand Cultures
At the same time as the Chinese characters for the vision were unveiled, a week-long (February 12-February 18) China-New Zealand Calligraphy and Painting Art Exhibition was also opened. The exhibition brings together nearly 100 masterpieces from Chinese and New Zealand calligraphers and painters, showing the unique charm of the integration of the two countries’ cultures.
The calligraphy works are vigorous and powerful, with the brush running like a dragon and snake, showing the charm of oriental calligraphy art; the painting works cover a variety of styles such as landscapes, flowers and birds, and figures, either freehand or meticulous, showing the charm of different art schools. Artists from China and New Zealand use pen and ink as a medium to break the boundaries of time and space and use art to build a bridge for cultural exchange.
Cultural Bridges: Deepening Sino-Singaporean Friendship, Building Cultural Prosperity Together
This event is not only a cultural and artistic feast, but also an important opportunity for folk cultural exchanges between China and New Zealand. For the Chinese community in New Zealand, the Vision Chinese Character Selection not only carries the longing for the motherland, but also expresses the desire for a better life in the future. Through the calligraphy and painting exhibition, people from both countries were able to feel the unique charm of each other’s cultures more intuitively, enhancing understanding and friendship.
All walks of life join forces in a cultural extravaganza
The event was supported and participated by many parties. The organisers included Auckland International Art Space Gallery, New Zealand New China Investment and Trade Promotion Association, New Zealand Chinese Calligraphers Association, New Zealand Confucius Institute of Culture and Art, New Zealand Overseas Chinese Women’s Association, and New Zealand Chuanyu General Chamber of Commerce. The Chinese Cultural Centre Auckland, New Zealand New China Friendship Association Auckland Branch and other organisations acted as supporters to promote the success of this cultural event.
The Vision Chinese Character Awards and the Calligraphy and Painting Art Exhibition not only promoted Chinese culture, but also deepened cultural exchanges and friendship between China and Singapore. Looking ahead, this cultural event will continue to promote cultural interaction between China and Singapore, bringing more art and cultural feasts to the people of both countries.
