Best wishes and greetings have been flowing in around the advent of the Chinese Spring Festival.

French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday tweeted: "My sincere blessings to all who celebrate the Chinese New Year in France and around the world."

In a phone call with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday, Macron extended his Chinese New Year greetings, wishing the Chinese people good luck and happiness.

Read more: 

Xi Jinping and Emmanuel Macron exchange Lunar New Year wishes

While welcoming the Year of the Rat, U.S. President Donald Trump offered his greetings to people in the U.S. and throughout the world celebrating the Lunar New Year on Friday, wishing them "happiness, health, and prosperity in the year to come."

He also expressed gratitude to Asian Americans for their contributions to U.S. culture, economy and national defense.

Across the Atlantic Ocean, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson held a reception Friday to celebrate the Chinese New Year at No. 10 Downing Street, where he took part in the crafts of paper cutting and calligraphy.

Chinese Ambassador to the UK, Liu Xiaoming attended the event with his wife, Hu Pinghua. It was the eighth consecutive year that a British prime minister has hosted a Chinese New Year reception.

Johnson asked Liu to convey his greetings to the Chinese people. He said that he attached great importance to UK-China relations, and would like to continue to promote the "Golden Era" of bilateral relations.

Liu said China appreciated Johnson's contributions to bilateral ties while serving as mayor of London and foreign secretary. He looked forward to a new level of relations during Johnson's term in office as prime minister.

Before attending the Spring Festival reception, Liu expressed confidence in China for controlling the coronavirus outbreak. He said the Chinese government was determined to curb the spread and maintains close communication and cooperation with the World Health Organization and the international community.

The UK held an emergency meeting on Friday to discuss the outbreak. A chief medical officer said tests on 14 people in the UK so far have come back negative.

Trump appreciates China's efforts on coronavirus

Trump praised China Friday on its handling of the novel coronavirus outbreak.

"China has been working very hard to contain the Coronavirus. The United States greatly appreciates their efforts and transparency. It will all work out well. In particular, on behalf of the American People, I want to thank President Xi!" he tweeted.

So far, two people in the U.S. have been diagnosed with the novel coronavirus, U.S. officials say.

Meanwhile, leaders of various other countries have also conveyed their greetings. 

Dragan Covic, chairman of the House of Peoples of Bosnia and Herzegovina, hoped that 2020 would be a harvest year in terms of bilateral cooperation.

Former Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero wished the Chinese community great progress in the new year. 

Extending congratulations to China, Chad's President Idriss Deby also sent his best wishes to Chinese people who are fighting the novel coronavirus.