German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Tuesday extended Spring Festival greetings on the social media platform X.

"Happy Spring Festival and a happy new year," Merz wrote, noting that "people in China and many parts of Asia are celebrating the start of the new year."

Merz said he hoped the Year of the Horse would "bring strength and give new impetus to German-Chinese relations."

The Chinese New Year falls on February 17 this year and ushers in the Year of the Horse.

(Cover: Ditan Park is crowded with tourists to celebrate the Chinese New Year in Beijing, China, February 17, 2026. /VCG)