Greetings came from great leaders across the globe wishing everyone who celebrates the Lunar New Year. Lunar New Year also known as Chinese New Year will be celebrated Sunday, 10 February this year, reports news.xinhuanet.com.
Many great world leaders conveyed their best wishes on the occasion of Lunar New Year including U.S. President Barack Obama, British Prime Minister David Cameron, Prime Minister of Mongolia Altankhuyag Norov and several Chinese top leaders including President Hu Jintao.
President Obama was joined by First Lady Michelle Obama in extending warm wishes to everyone celebrating the Lunar New Year Sunday.
"In Chinese tradition, the snake represents wisdom, and a thoughtful approach to tackling the challenges before us - principles that I hope will continue to guide us as we perfect our union and create a more just and equal future for every American," he said. "Our challenges may be great, but our diversity and the traditions that thrive here give us the strength to meet them. To everyone celebrating the Lunar New Year, I wish you peace, prosperity and good health and fortune."
British Prime Minister David Cameron also sent his wishes and also noted the close relationship between Britain and China. "As we welcome the Year of the Snake, the celebrations here in Britain will remind us once again of the richness of Chinese culture and the incredible contribution that our Chinese communities make here in Britain," Cameron said in a recorded video uploaded in the Prime Minister's official site, reported news.xinhuanet.com.
He further spoke about the extending relations with China in the near future. "General Secretary Xi Jinping recently wrote to tell me that with joint efforts on both sides UK-China relations will continue to forge ahead," he said. "I share that determination...I hope that the year of the Snake can be a great year for Britain, for China and for us all."
Mangolia's top leaders extended their wishes to people and announced the Lunar New Year holiday. Prime Minister Altankhuyag Norov referring to the previous year of male water dragon said it "was good for Mongolians."
"People voted for the parliament and as result of this election, a better government has been formed and is working now," he added. He further advised people to celebrate the New Year safely and avoid drinking too much of vodka and show respect to their elders.
In China, top leaders came together to convey their wishes to the Chinese people at home and abroad. The gathering held at the Great Hall of People in central Beijing Friday included President Hu Jintao and General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee Xi Jinping, Wu Bangguo, Wen Jiabao, Jia Qinglin, Li Keqiang, Zhang Dejiang, Yu Zhengsheng, Liu Yunshan, Wang Qishan and Zhang Gaoli, joined over 2,000 representatives in Beijing to rejoice the upcoming Lunar New Year, according to news.xinhuanet.com.
"I wish you a joyful festival, good health and happiness for you and your families," Xi extended his wishes as he led the gathering.
The list of leaders extending their best wished included Prime Minister of Canada, Stephen Harper who conveyed his greeting on behalf of his wife Laureen Teskey and his family in a statement issued on the Prime Minister's official site. "The Chinese New Year is a time for families to gather together, give gifts, and reflect on both the past year and the one to come," Harper said in the statement.
"The many fireworks and parades marking this special occasion always remind me of how alive and well the vibrant Chinese culture is in our country. It also reminds us of the enormous contributions by Chinese Canadians to build the great nation we have today," he said.
Prime Minister Harper concluded by assuring the people of Canada that "Government is working to create the jobs and economic conditions that will help ensure that the Year of the Snake is one marked by good fortune and prosperity."
