Political leaders, representatives of int'l organizations send Spring Festival greetings to Chinese people

Political leaders and representatives of international organizations have extended their heartfelt Spring Festival greetings to China, celebrating the festive occasion and reaffirming hopes for stronger international cooperation.

The Spring Festival, which falls on February 17 this year, marks the start of the Chinese New Year. This year ushers in the Year of the Horse -- the seventh of the 12 animals in the Chinese zodiac.

"Happy Spring Festival and all the best in the Year of the Horse. I sincerely wish that under the leadership of President Xi Jinping, China will continue to prosper and its people live in peace and contentment," said Ivica Dacic, deputy prime minister and minister of interior of Serbia.

"In traditional Chinese culture, the horse symbolizes strength, progress, and perseverance, while also signifying success. On the occasion of the Spring Festival, I would like to extend my sincere blessings to China, wishing the country greater success and development. At the same time, I wish the people of both our nations happiness and health, our countries prosperity, and that together we can create a bright future," said Serbian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy Adrijana Mesarovic.

Ondrej Dostal, a member of the European Parliament from Cezch, expressed hope that China will continue to make headway in collaborating with the EU and contribute to global development.

"I would like to wish Chinese people all the best in the [Chinese] New Year, continuing progress and prosperity. And I will specifically wish the EU and China to come together more to join efforts and make the world a more secure, safe and prosperous place," said Dostal.

Officials from the African Union also sent their best wishes to the Chinese people.

"We wish a Happy New Year to the Chinese women. They are our partners. We went to Beijing for the Fourth World Conference [on Women] in China in 1995 and we are having close working relations with Chinese women. We wish them a happy, happy festival," said Eunice Iipinge, president of the Pan African Women's Organization.

"Happy New Year to all of you in China, from the heart of the African continent in the African Union and wish you all the best in the new year," said Namira Negm, first director of the African Migration Observatory.

Political leaders, representatives of int'l organizations send Spring Festival greetings to Chinese people

Global food commodity prices climbed for a second consecutive month in March, driven mainly by higher energy costs linked to escalating conflict in the Middle East, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) said in report released on Friday.

The FAO Food Price Index, which tracks monthly changes in the international prices of a basket of globally traded food commodities, averaged 128.5 points in March, up 2.4 percent from February and 1.0 percent above its level a year ago.

According to the report, the FAO Vegetable Oil Index and Sugar Price Index showed the largest increases, up 5.1 percent and 7.2 percent, respectively.

The FAO Cereal Price Index increased by 1.5 percent from the previous month, driven primarily by higher world wheat prices, which rose 4.3 percent.

The FAO Meat Price Index rose by 1.0 percent from the previous month, and the FAO All-Rice Price Index declined by 3.0 percent in March, according to the report.

FAO stated that rising energy and fertilizer prices have been driving up agricultural input costs.

If the conflict stretches beyond 40 days, farmers will have to choose to farm the same with fewer inputs, plant less, or switch to less intensive fertilizer crops, according to FAO Chief Economist Maximo Torero.

These choices will hit future yields and shape food supply and commodity prices for the rest of this year and beyond, Torero said.

Global food prices rise for 2nd consecutive month in March amid Middle East conflict: FAO