World leaders and heads of international organizations have extended Spring Festival greetings to the Chinese people and conveyed their wishes that the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics and Paralympics would be a success.

The goodwill was expressed in messages and letters sent to Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, as well as through other means.

Russian President Vladimir Putin extended greetings to the Chinese people for the Year of the Tiger, saying that the Beijing Winter Olympics will be a major event of global significance.

Putin said he believes that China's rich experience in the organizing international competitions will make it possible for the country to hold this global festival of sports of the highest level. 

Kim Jong Un, top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), sent a message to Chinese President Xi on Friday to congratulate China on a successful opening of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, according to the official Korean Central News Agency. 

"The successful opening of the Beijing Winter Olympics despite the worldwide health crisis and unprecedented severe circumstances is another great victory won by socialist China," Kim said in the message.

Kim also highlighted the strong bilateral ties between the countries and vowed to "steadily develop the relations" to a "new high stage."

The Olympics is a symbol of human solidarity, said Mongolian President Ukhnaa Khurelsukh, adding that he is confident that the Chinese government and people will overcome the impact of COVID-19, successfully host the Winter Olympics, and usher in the new year with fruitful results.

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev expressed warm congratulations on the grand opening of the Beijing Winter Olympics, wishing China greater achievements and new victories on the path of realizing the Chinese Dream.

Meanwhile, Czech President Milos Zeman wished all the Chinese people strength and courage in the new year and success in achieving their goals, and wished the Beijing Winter Olympics a complete success.

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi said he believes that the whole world will witness the success of the Beijing Winter Olympics. He also wished the Chinese people happiness, health and prosperity.

Many leaders have also extended greetings and wishes, including Indonesian President Joko Widodo, Tajik President Emomali Rahmon, Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, among others.

(With input from Xinhua)