"We believe Meng is a proud to be a New Zealander, who is also Chinese, and is a person with the abilities to perform the role expected of the Race Relations Commissioner and overcome the challenges facing him," association president Linus Chin said.
The Chinese community in Otago and Southland faced the same obstacles all New Zealanders did in their daily lives, such as finding jobs and housing, having access to health, schooling and other essential services.
"We are subject to the same effects of government policy on unemployment, the economy, labour laws, increasing costs for housing, food, health, schooling, taxes, fuel, and the costs of living," Mr Chin said.
"The newer Chinese residents possibly face a language barrier to start with, but we believe New Zealand provides a reasonably level playing field for people of all races, and freedoms for those who want to become New Zealanders who wish to retain their culture."
In Otago and Southland, there was the "odd isolated incidence" of racial prejudice, and the situation continued to improve year by year.
"Unfortunately, we tend to only see the results of this sort of behaviour when faced with people or groups with extreme views. Happily, these people or groups appear to be in the vocal minority at present."
Former Dunedin mayor Peter Chin said he believed the Gisborne mayor was the best person for the job.
Mr Chin said he knew Mr Foon when they were in local government at the same time, and had a high opinion of the work he had done in his home city.
Mr Foon is the first race relations commissioner to speak fluent Maori, and he is also fluent in Cantonese.
He "ticks all the boxes,", Mr Chin said.
"The experience that he has had as a leader in the community, especially in the Maori community, and his relationship with Maori people [will make him a good race relations commissioner]."
University of Otago international relations specialist Prof Robert Patman said he thought Mr Foon's appointment could have the effect of enhancing the voice of the Chinese community in New Zealand - and that might open new avenues of communication with China.
"At the same time, Meng's appointment could also indirectly complicate relations with Beijing.
"A more engaged New Zealand Chinese community may want to assert more control over the Chinese language media outlets in New Zealand that have become increasingly dominated by Beijing in recent decades," Prof Patman said.
However, he noted Mr Foon's first priority was to use his connections with the Pakeha and the Maori world, as well as the Chinese community and other communities, to improve race relations in the country.
