As China celebrates the Spring Festival, foreign leaders and heads of international organizations have extended their heartfelt greetings to the Chinese people for the Year of the Snake.
The Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, is the most significant traditional holiday for the Chinese people, marking a time of family reunions and fresh beginnings. In 2025, the Chinese New Year falls on Wednesday, ushering in the Year of the Snake.
"On behalf of the government and people of the Solomon Islands, I extend warm greetings and best wishes to you: Happy New Year, and [Switch to Chinese] everything goes well," said Solomon Islands' Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele.
International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva sent her Spring Festival greetings via a video on Tuesday.
"This is the Year of the Snake. You would have happiness, health and prosperity, and may the year inspire us all to embrace new beginnings and strive towards a brighter future together," she said.
Thailand's Tourism and Sports Minister Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol extended her New Year greetings in Chinese on Wednesday, which also marked the first day of the Chinese New Year.
"Wishing everyone a Happy Chinese New Year, good health, prosperity, and all the best," she said.
Timor-Leste's President Jose Ramos-Horta also extended his festive greetings to China and the Chinese people.
"I wish the Chinese people a great celebration of the Chinese New Year. I know it's a family tradition when family and friends are together to celebrate the new year. And I wish to China and the Chinese people even greater success in 2025," he said.
World leaders send Spring Festival wishes to Chinese people
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Tuesday that China is willing to work with Thailand to promote reform and improvement of the global governance system.
During talks with his Thai counterpart, Sihasak Phuangketkeow, on the sidelines of a UN Security Council high-level meeting on "upholding the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and strengthening the UN-centered international system," Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that China applauds Thailand's greater role on the international stage.
The two countries should work together to revitalize and strengthen the United Nations, said Wang.
The Chinese side appreciates Thailand's firm commitment to the one-China principle, and is ready to enhance high-level exchanges with the Thai side, he said, calling for the earlier formulation of a new action plan for strategic cooperation.
China supports Thailand and Cambodia in upholding dialogue and consultation to peacefully resolve disputes, and stands ready to continue playing a constructive role in this process, Wang said.
For his part, Sihasak, also Thailand's deputy prime minister, said that the world needs rules rather than unilateralism, and stressed the urgent need to jointly safeguard the authority of the United Nations.
He said that Thailand is committed to the one-China policy and is willing to work with China to push for steady progress in building the Thailand-China community with a shared future.
Thailand thanks China for its efforts in mediating the border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia, Sihasak said, adding that dialogues and communications with the Cambodian side will continue in pursuit of peace and stability in the border region.
Chinese FM calls for joint effort with Thailand to advance global governance reform
