The Shanghai delegation, in Dunedin for the Dunedin Chinese Garden’s 10th birthday, were welcomed on to the marae on Saturday with a powhiri and speeches, along with representatives from Dunedin’s Chinese community and the Chinese consul-general Wang Zhijian.
The marae was presented with two lacquerware vases from Yu Yuan, and a bamboo plant and bamboo rock from the Dunedin Chinese Garden (Lan Yuan).
The marae presented Dunedin Chinese Trust chairman Malcolm Wong with a gift of pounamu for the garden. There was also a gift for Yu Yuan, which was presented later on.
A lunch was held for the delegation at the marae after the ceremony, and a there was a farewell ceremony with final exchange of individual gifts.
Mr Wong said he would be travelling to Yu Yuan in November, for the opening of a special photo exhibition of pictures from Lan Yuan.
