As China welcomes the Spring Festival, political leaders and business moguls from across the globe have sent their warmest wishes to the Chinese people, hoping for a joyous and prosperous Year of the Horse.
The Spring Festival, which lands on Feb 17 this year, is the start of the Chinese New Year. This year's Spring Festival marks the beginning of the Year of the Horse -- the seventh of the 12 animals in the Chinese zodiac.
Nauruan President David Adeang recently extended Spring Festival greetings via a video message to the Chinese people, saying he looks forward to continuing bilateral cooperation to promote peace, sustainable development, and shared prosperity.
"On behalf of the government and people of Nauru, I extend warm greetings and sincere best wishes to President Xi Jinping and the People's Republic of China. The horse, a symbol of strength, vitality, progress and perseverance, reflects the enduring spirit of advancement and cooperation that characterizes the friendship between Nauru and China. Nauru reaffirms its firm commitment to the one China principle. And I reaffirm how much we deeply value our strong and growing partnership with the People's Republic of China. We look forward to continuing our cooperation to promote peace, sustainable development and shared prosperity for our peoples. I wish President Xi Jinping and the people of China a happy and prosperous new year. May the Year of the Horse bring good health, harmony and continued success," said the president.
Thailand's caretaker Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul extended his wishes in Chinese.
"Wishing you immediate success, great prosperity, good health, and a thriving business," said the prime minister.
Shradha Shrestha, Minister of Women, Children and Senior Citizen, sent her greetings to the Chinese people at an event celebrating the Chinese New Year.
"This year is the Chinese Year of the Horse. Some ethnic groups and communities in Nepal also celebrate the New Year according to their own calendars. The Spring Festival is not just the Lunar New Year for the Chinese - Nepal is also immersed in a joyous festive atmosphere. Happy Spring Festival! May success come swiftly!" she said.
Kairat Sarybay, Secretary General of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA), highlighted the symbolic meaning of the horse and shared his wishes of the Chinese New Year.
"This year we welcome the Year of the Fiery Horse - a symbol of energy, courage, renewal and forward movement. Many nations in Asia believe the Horse represents strength driven not by force alone, but by purpose, discipline and unity. At CICA, uniting 28 Asian states, we believe that confidence transforms diversity into strength and shared aspirations into lasting stability and prosperity. I wish the people of China continued success and new achievements on the path toward the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. Good luck in the Year of the Horse! May all your wishes come true!" said Sarybay.
Global leaders, organization chiefs send greetings to Chinese people ahead of Spring Festival
