Performers from Shandong province perform a ritual in worship of Confucius, kicking off the fourth New Zealand "Golden Ribbon" International Culture & Art Festival held in Christchurch, New Zealand on Nov 11. [Photo/nzmessengers.co.nz]

The fourth New Zealand "Golden Ribbon" International Culture & Art Festival was recently held in Christchurch, New Zealand. China's Shandong province was invited to perform at the event. 

The festival, co-hosted by the Shandong Overseas Exchange Association and the China-New Zealand International Culture and Exchange Association, included performances by dozens of artists from New Zealand and Shandong which were watched by thousands of people.

The festival was designed to promote the Belt and Road Initiative as well as global cultural and economic development, according to the organizing committee.

The performances given by Shandong artists were well-received, particularly the shadow play and lion dance, which were met with rapturous applause.

Several officials addressed the festival, including Zhai Xingfu, China's deputy consul-general in Christchurch, Rt. Hon David Carter, former speaker of the House of Representatives of the New Zealand, Jimmy Chen, Chinese city councillor in Christchurch, Wang Yuliang, chairman of the Shandong Overseas Exchange Association, and Zhao Jianfei, chairman of the China-New Zealand International Culture and Exchange Association.