中国总理李克强近日完成对新西兰为期四天的访问[1]，期间两国领导人共同纪念了新西兰人瑞威·艾利对中新关系的杰出贡献。艾利作为20世纪对华工业合作运动的先驱，为两国建立1972年的外交关系做出了重要贡献[1]。今年恰逢艾利诞生120周年、到华90周年和去世30周年三个重要纪念节点[1]。
艾利1897年出生于新西兰坎特伯雷州斯普林菲尔德小镇[1]，1927年抵达中国上海[1]。在华期间，他于1942年在中国陕西省建立了贝利学校[1]，为中国教育事业做出贡献。艾利于1987年12月27日在北京去世[1]，中国领导人邓小平为其题词："伟大的国际主义战士永垂不朽"[1]。2009年，艾利被评为"中国十大国际友人"[1]。
为了进一步表彰艾利的遗产，新西兰中国友好协会主席戴夫·布罗姆维奇表示将率领20位艾利亲属代表团访华，并在北京人民大会堂举行纪念活动[1]。新西兰贸易部长托德·麦克莱也表示，艾利的遗产体现了中新两国对老友的重视[1]。
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang concluded a four-day visit to New Zealand on Wednesday, during which he paid special tribute to Rewi Alley, a New Zealand pioneer whose contributions to bilateral relations remain central to China-New Zealand ties.[1] Alley, born in 1897 in Springfield, Canterbury, New Zealand, arrived in Shanghai in 1927 and later established Bailey School in Shaanxi Province, China in 1942.[1] He passed away in Beijing on December 27, 1987.[1]
This year marks significant anniversaries in Alley's legacy: 120 years since his birth, 90 years since his arrival in China, and 30 years since his death.[1] His contributions to industrial cooperation between the two nations were instrumental in facilitating the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1972.[1] Deng Xiaoping honored Alley with an inscription reading "The great internationalist fighter will live forever in our hearts," and in 2009, Alley was recognized as one of "China's Ten Outstanding International Friends".[1]
The New Zealand China Friendship Society chair Dave Bromwich announced plans to lead a delegation of 20 Alley relatives to Beijing for commemorative activities at the Great Hall of the People.[1] New Zealand Trade Minister Todd McClay emphasized that Alley's legacy reflects how both nations cherish longstanding friendships.[1]