A resident takes photos during the 9th Otaki Kite Festival held on the beach of Otaki, New Zealand, Feb. 6, 2021. Hundreds of colourful kites were flying Saturday in the skies of Wellington's Otaki Beach. These kites were made by local designers under the initiative of the China Cultural Centre in Wellington, which attended this festival for the third year running and has attracted significant attention and affection from viewers. (Photo by Zhang Jianyong/Xinhua)
WELLINGTON, Feb. 6 (Xinhua) -- Hundreds of colourful kites were flying Saturday in the skies of Wellington's Otaki Beach.
A Chinese-dragon-shaped kite stole the show at the 9th Otaki Kite Festival, held on February 6 and 7.
As well as the 'Loong' (Chinese dragon), Chinese kites in the shape of giant pandas and Peking Opera masks soared high in the sky harmoniously with kites in the form of different ocean creatures.
These kites were made by local designers under the initiative of the China Cultural Centre in Wellington, which attended this festival for the third year running and has attracted significant attention and affection from viewers.
Guo Zongguang, director of the China Cultural Center in Wellington, saw the performances as an opportunity to strengthen ties between both countries, promote the people-to-people and cultural exchanges, and to forge the "Happy Chinese New Year" cultural brand.
There were inevitably less overseas participants this year due to COVID-19. Professionals and enthusiasts from across New Zealand steered the kites over the beach and ocean. Characteristic kites crafted by kiwi artists, featuring in Maori and marine culture still made it an iconic event.
