Springfield, May 25th—A memorial event promoting the spirit of Rewi Alley was held in Springfield, Selwyn District, the birthplace of Rewi Alley. Liu Jianchao, Minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, and Sam Broughton, Mayor of Selwyn District, attended and addressed the memorial event.  

Liu said, Rewi Alley was a good friend of the Chinese people and a pioneer in the China-New Zealand friendship. He dedicated his entire life to the liberation of the Chinese people and the construction of China, building a bridge of friendship between the people of China and New Zealand. We should carry forward the spirit of Rewi Alley to continuously infuse new vitality into the friendship between the two peoples and to jointly create a better future.   

Broughton said, Selwyn District is grateful for Rewi Alley’s contributions to New Zealand-China friendship and will strive to promote friendly exchanges and cooperation between Selwyn and China.  

Descendants of Rewi Alley’s adopted children shared heartfelt stories about Alley based on their growth experiences, and said that they would carry on the valuable spiritual legacy Alley had left behind.  

Prior to the memorial event, attendees visited the Rewi Alley Memorial Park. The delegation laid flowers at Alley’s statue and, together with students from Springfield School, planted a friendship tree to commemorate the friendly exchanges between Selwyn District and China.  

Allison Rosanowski, Chairperson of the Selwyn District Council Sister City Committee, and relatives of Rewi Alley, were present.