Int'l leaders, political figures extend Spring Festival greetings to Chinese people

As the Spring Festival approaches, leaders of international organizations and global political figures have extended warm wishes to the Chinese people, expressing hopes for happiness and prosperity in the Year of the Horse.

Falling on Tuesday this year, the Spring Festival marks the start of the Chinese New Year and ushers in the Year of the Horse, the seventh animal in the Chinese zodiac.

Drawing on the symbolism of the horse, Tajik President Emomali Rahmon shared optimism about making strides together in the year ahead.

"On the occasion of the Chinese Spring Festival of the Year of the Horse, I would like to extend my sincere congratulations and best wishes to President Xi Jinping. The Year of the Horse embodies fervent strength and an enterprising spirit. I wish the great and friendly Chinese people peace, tranquility and continued progress in the year ahead," he said.

Meanwhile, a Chinese New Year celebration themed "Galloping Forward with the United Nations" was held at the UN Headquarters on Feb 9, gathering representatives to the UN from more than 120 countries, and over 500 guests from various sectors in the eastern United States.

"I wish all the most wonderful things for the people of China in the Year of the Horse. And I hope that we all work together towards making this world a better place for everyone," said Melissa Fleming, UN Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications.

Additionally, the Chinese Embassy in Canada held its Spring Festival reception in Ottawa on Feb 10. More than 200 people attended the event, including Canadian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs David Morrison, Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister Kody Blois, Senator Clement Gignac, Member of Parliament Zoe Royer, and representatives of Chinese communities, organizations and students in Canada.

"I want to wish everyone back in China a happy New Year, all the best. And we look forward to our continued bilateral relationship and the warming of relations between our two countries," said Blois.

Meanwhile, a concert marking the Spring Festival was held Thursday in Vientiane, capital of Laos, drawing more than 1,000 people from various sectors.

Thongloun Sisoulith, general secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee and Lao president, attended the event together with representatives from political, economic and cultural circles.

During the concert, a selection of classic Chinese and Lao musical pieces was performed in turn, showcasing the artistic charm of both countries. The performances were met with warm applause from the audience.

Int'l leaders, political figures extend Spring Festival greetings to Chinese people

African officials on Wednesday pledged to scale up investment to accelerate development across the member states of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) at a meeting in Accra, Ghana's capital.

They made the commitment during the 24th Annual General Meeting of the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID), where leaders highlighted the need to expand the bank's capital base to finance transformative projects.

Ghanaian Finance Minister Cassiel Ato Forson stressed that timely capital payments would strengthen EBID's leverage and sustain its growth, enabling the institution to stimulate inclusive economic expansion across the region.

"Timely capital payments are critical. It strengthens EBID leverage and sustains its growth and impact across our region. Expanding our capital base is essential to strengthen our ability to finance transformative development projects and stimulate inclusive economic growth among our member states," said Forson.

EBID recorded strong achievements in 2025, with total disbursements of about 722 million U.S. dollars, up 47.7 percent from 2024. Building on that momentum, President George Agyekum Donkor said the bank remains committed to helping member states tackle poverty and close infrastructure gaps across the region.

"We aim to direct at least 63 percent of new commitments towards the private enterprises to catalyze job creation and innovation. Simultaneously, the bank would embed environmental, social and governance principles across its operations, dedicating over 41 percent of resources to climate mitigation and social inclusion projects," said Donkor.

With disbursements surging nearly 48 percent last year, EBID officials said the bank is positioned to channel more resources into private-sector growth and climate-focused projects, reinforcing its role as a driver of inclusive development across West Africa.

African officials vow stronger investment push at ECOWAS bank meeting in Accra