WELLINGTON, Oct. 15 -- Twenty-one Chinese communities in New Zealand's capital Wellington jointly held a gala on Tuesday evening to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China (PRC), with the theme of "praising the motherland and love the hometown".

Delivering an opening speech at the gala which was attended by over 150 people, Wang Genhua, Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy in New Zealand, said that the joint-celebration shows the unity and cohesiveness of overseas Chinese. New Zealand has made valuable contribution to the development of China-New Zealand relations, and played an important role in spreading Chinese culture, adding to the multiculturalism of New Zealand.

Huo Jianqiang, Member of the New Zealand Parliament, delegating the ruling Labour Party, stressed that in the past 70 years, the average life expectancy of Chinese people has more than doubled from 35 to 75. Over the past four decades, 700 million Chinese people have been lifted out of poverty, showing a miracle to the world. "It is worthy of the pride of every overseas Chinese."

Gao Hejun, chairman of the China Peaceful Reunification Promotion Association in Wellington, on behalf of the Chinese communities, said that China has been getting prosperity and stronger since the founding of the People's Republic of China 70 years ago. The huge changes inspired overseas Chinese. Chinese in New Zealand will make positive contributions to the development and stability of China and New Zealand.

The gala started with the song "Today is your birthday, my motherland" and ended with the chorus "Singing to the motherland", interspersed with songs, children's poems, fan dances, Xinjiang dances, solo Pipa and other programs, receiving rapturous applause during the event.