World leaders and officials sent their Chinese New Year greetings as China welcomes the Year of the Rabbit.

The Year of the Rabbit, according to the Chinese Zodiac, runs from January 22, 2023 to February 9, 2024.

Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa extended Chinese New Year's greetings to the Chinese people, wishing them good health, prosperity and success in the Year of the Rabbit.

"On behalf of the government and people of Zimbabwe, and on my own behalf, I wish to extend to you warm congratulations on the advent of the Chinese New Year which marks the beginning of the Year of the Rabbit which symbolizes longevity, peace and prosperity," he said in a recorded video message.

Mnangagwa said the new season offers opportunities to solidify the strong bonds of friendship and solidarity between Zimbabwe and China.

Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen extended Chinese New Year greetings and wished the Chinese people and the Cambodians of Chinese descent good health, happiness and success in all their endeavors in the New Year.

"On the occasion of the upcoming Chinese New Year, the Year of the Rabbit, I would like to congratulate and join in the fun with all Chinese people and Cambodians of Chinese descent, who have always lived and stuck together through thick and thin since ancient times," he said.

Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha sent a Chinese New Year greeting in Chinese when he attended a celebration for the festival in Ratchaburi Province, wishing everyone prosperity and luck.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim greeted the country's Chinese community ahead of the Chinese New Year celebrations with a message of unity.

(Cover: A shop selling Spring Festival decorations in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, January 17, 2023. /CFP)