Chinese ambassador to New Zealand Wang Lutong (2nd R, front) and Celia Wade-Brown (3rd R, front), mayor of Wellington, attend the sunrise ceremony in Wellington, New Zealand, Sept. 27, 2014. On the 10th anniversary of the Global Confucius Institute on Saturday, the Confucius Institute of Victoria University of Wellington held sunrise ceremony in waterfront of the New Zealand capital to embrace the special day for the Chinese cultural and educational flagship program. [Xinhua/Su Liang]

On the 10th anniversary of the Global Confucius Institute on Saturday, the Confucius Institute of Victoria University of Wellington held sunrise ceremony in waterfront of the New Zealand capital to embrace the special day for the Chinese cultural and educational flagship program.

The ceremony was kicked off by Maori leaders around Wellington region who led all the guests to the waterfront in Oriental Bay. They were singing Maori traditional songs of blessing and welcoming.

Celia Wade-Brown, mayor of Wellington who joined the Maori leaders in singing, appreciated the cultural contribution the Confucius Institute made to the city.

Chinese ambassador Lutong Wang said at the ceremony that the Confucius Institute is a unique family for peoples around the world to learn from each other.

Neil Quigley, deputy vice chancellor of Victoria University, and Tony Browne, former New Zealand ambassador to China and chairman of the Confucius Institute of Victoria University, also attended the sunrise ceremony.

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