The pupils at Te Kura o Manunui in Brookfield are quite savvy about China.

School leaders Devon, Ryley, Caleb, Chanel, Te Ariki, Paikea, Shaylah and Kaleb – that's them in the photo – will tell you Chinese colours have meanings. Not many of us know that.

They'll also tell you the lucky colour in one of the world's largest and most populated countries is red and that each year has a name, like Year of the Rat.

'Chinese people love dumplings,” the kids say in a collective message to The Weekend Sun. 'And so do we.”

The dumplings sealed the deal. They like that commonality with their Chinese counterparts, they like building global bridges and friendships.

'We even learned Mandarin from a Chinese tutor. We know lots of words already.”

The New Zealand China Friendship Society is further assisting the process with its primary school art exchange.

One image sent to New Zealand from Jiangxi Province, in the east of the People's Republic, shows Chinese, Maori and Pakeha children, arms entwined, sitting over China and New Zealand flags and surrounded by images of animals, pagodas, buildings, space travel and high speed trains. It's a pictorial blend of two cultures.

'It's a cool experience to learn about other cultures and how they live,” say the kids.

Te Kura o Manunui, formerly Brookfield School, will be reciprocating – submitting their own work, their own respect and understanding, to the art competition. Selected works will be sent back to the children at the Chinese school.

The Friendship Society is this year also launching a Tauranga secondary schools art competition with a $100 prize for each of five categories.

'I know teachers are busy but you just have to give students a sheet paper and let them go,” says John Hodgson of the Friendship Society.

The categories include a head and shoulders portrait of peacemaker, activist, writer and bridge builder Rewi Alley, New Zealand's greatest ever connection with mainland China, and a sketch and painting of Alley at work. The other categories are calligraphy of a chenyu.

'It's a four character poem,” explains John.

They have to use some English, explain what it means and why they chose it. The fifth category is an art work, in any media, depicting NZ-China friendship.

'It is helping create understanding.They will research their work and gain knowledge. And with knowledge comes understanding.”

The society is also looking to create a first-hand experience – a 10 or 12-day exchange trip to China for a dozen students.

'We are looking to take traditional Maori culture to China – I'd like a group that would give young Chinese a good understanding.”

And some contemporary Kiwi culture.

'Perhaps touch rugby, mixed teams from both countries playing touch. Just an idea.”

Meanwhile the team at Brookfield is still thirsting for knowledge on China.

'We'd like to know more because one day we too might travel there.”

The school leaders also tell us China makes a huge number of products, that it wins a lot of Olympic medals and celebrates the Chinese New Year with street parades and colourful dragons.

Schools interested in being involved, or more information, can call John Hodgson on 027 284 9738.