<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2024-02-11/Foreign-leaders-extend-best-wishes-for-Chinese-Lunar-New-Year-1r6IKbK3XK8/img/760e892a926b458abfa800e8abef9dc4/760e892a926b458abfa800e8abef9dc4.jpeg' alt='Tourists have fun at a historical and cultural street in Anshun City in southwest China's Guizhou Province, February 10, 2024. /Xinhua'
Foreign leaders have sent their best wishes to the Chinese people and overseas Chinese around the world who celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year, also known as the Spring Festival.
China on Saturday rang in the Year of the Dragon. Regarded as the most celebrated holiday among the Chinese, the Spring Festival signifies a time of joyful family reunions and a slew of cultural events.
French President Emmanuel Macron extended his blessings for the Lunar New Year in the Chinese language on social media on Saturday.
Macron said he wished friends around the world celebrating the Lunar New Year a happy new year, good health and all the best.
The Year of the Dragon symbolizes innovation and creativity, which features the exciting events they have prepared in France, he said.
Prime Minister of Thailand Srettha Thavisin posted on social media to wish Thais and Chinese nationals a happy and prosperous New Year.
“I wish 2024 to be the year of affluence and prosperity while all of you enjoy an endless stream of wealth and good fortune,” Srettha said.
Srettha expressed hope that trade and investment between Thailand and China would further expand and that the visa waiver policy will help promote travel between the two countries and make it more convenient.
Thailand always welcomes Chinese visitors, he said, expressing hope that the Thailand-China relationship will stand strong forever. “Thais and Chinese are no strangers but essentially siblings.”
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Saturday expressed his warmest wishes to the Chinese government and the Chinese people, as well as the Chinese community in South Africa, according to a statement on the website of the South African Presidency.
He also wished China a year of continued prosperity, innovation and advancement of peace and development globally.
“May the following weeks of celebration and social reunions be a time of great festivity and reinvigoration at the dawn of a year of good fortune and progress,” he said.
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida published a Lunar New Year’s message on his official website, extending greetings to the Chinese community living and working in Japan and everyone around the world celebrating the Spring Festival.
Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen has extended his greetings on social media, wishing the Chinese community in the country and all those celebrating the Chinese New Year good luck and good health in the Year of the Dragon.
In attending a celebration event in Belgrade, Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic said she wished the “friendship of steel” between Serbia and China would strengthen further in 2024.
“In 2024, we began a new decade of the Belt and Road Initiative, in which Serbia plays a significant role. So, besides the New Year wishes of happiness and success that we send to our friends, we also wish success and growth for all of us in the new decade of Belt and Road cooperation,” said Brnabic.
(With input from Xinhua)