Chinese artists have impressed him with creativity and innovation, New Zealand Ambassador to China John McKinnon told People’s Daily Online in a recent interview.

He added that as a country with diverse culture and population, New Zealand benefits from its tradition of embracing immigrants with various cultures.

Mr. McKinnon spoke highly of New Zealand’s composer and musicologist Jack Body, who is a strong promoter of international music in New Zealand. A series of music events in China commemorating Jack Body had highlighted the two countries’ cultural communication in 2015.

A number of New Zealand’s musicians – including its “national treasure” NZTrio – came to China to participate in and to perform in a series of musical events saluting Jack Body. “We are already planning for some to return to China to perform in 2016,” said Mr. McKinnon.

Referring to his impression of Chinese artists, Mr. McKinnon, who serves as New Zealand’s ambassador to China for the second time, emphasized their creativity and innovation. “The creativity of Chinese artists, whether in the visual or performance arts, is impressive,” he commented.

Speaking of New Zealand’s success in promoting culture diversity, Mr. McKinnon said the country has evolved through welcoming immigrants and their cultures for centuries.

“Our tangata whenua, the Maori people, have been in Aotearoa (New Zealand) for centuries. In the 19th century people came to New Zealand from Europe. Now, many new New Zealanders come from China, India, the Philippines, Korea and further afield. All of them add new layers to our culture and to our society,” he said.