World leaders extend Chinese New Year greetings
Updated 17:51, 13-Feb-2019
CGTN
["china"]
01:33
Several world leaders on Sunday expressed their good wishes and best regards to the Chinese people, ahead of the Chinese New Year.
Klaus Schwab, the founder and executive chairman of the World Economic Forum, extended warm wishes from Davos. He wished health and happiness to the Chinese people in the coming year.
Francis Gurry, director-general of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), said he was glad to maintain close contacts with China in 2018 and wished the Chinese people a happy and successful New Year.
Pakistani President Arif Alvi hailed the friendship between Pakistan and China in his greetings. He extended sincere wishes to the Chinese government and people and wished for stronger ties between Pakistan and China in the coming year.
Peter O'Neill, Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea, extended his best wishes to China and the Chinese people. He also sent his congratulations on the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China ahead of the National Day on October 1.
Danish Prime Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen extended his New Year wishes in Chinese. He noted that 2018 marked the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the China-Denmark comprehensive strategic partnership. He sincerely wished the two countries would enjoy stronger ties in the New Year.
Salvador Sanchez Ceren, President of the Republic of El Salvador, stated that 2018 marked an important year in relations between El Salvador and China. He also paid a state visit to China the same year. He wished the Chinese government would make greater achievements in the Year of the Pig.
Peru's Vice-President Mercedes Araoz wished the Chinese people would enjoy a prosperous, peaceful, healthy and happy New Year.
Mali's President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita hailed the friendship between the two countries and said he was glad to see people celebrating the Chinese New Year in Mali.
International Olympic Committee (IOC) president,  Thomas Bach, wished the Chinese people a happy Year of the Pig. He noted that February 4 marked the three-year countdown of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, and he wished the coming Winter Olympic Games a complete success.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic wished the year ahead with happiness and fortune. He also extended his sincere gratitude to President Xi, hoped that China would make more achievements under the leadership of Xi.
Czech President Milos Zeman wished all Chinese people good health and luck in the New Year.
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe invited more Chinese friends to visit Japan in his message and committed himself to promote youth-oriented national exchanges, noting the year 2019 is "Japan-China Youth Exchange Promotion Year."
Estonian President Kersti Kaljulaid wished a good cooperative relationship between China and Estonia, and extended his New Year greetings to the Chinese people in Mandarin.
Argentine President Mauricio Macri wished the Chinese people "good fortune, wealth, and long life."
Uruguayan President Tabare Vazquez extended his greetings to President Xi and the Chinese people at large.
Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa also delivered his warm wishes.
Afghan President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani expressed his gratitude to China's long-term help. 
Thai Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn extended her greetings via calligraphy and cartoon painting. 
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen wished the Chinese people a happy and fortunate New Year. 
Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina wished the Chinese people enjoy a peaceful, progressive, and prosperous New Year. 
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern thanked China for its contributions to New Zealand and expected to celebrate the China-New Zealand Year of Tourism in 2019. 
Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen and Chancellor Sebastian Kurz reviewed the cooperation outcomes in 2018 and extended best wishes to the Chinese people. 
Panama President Juan Carlos Varela said the Panama-China relations have developed rapidly, adding China's rapid development over the past 40 years is impressive. 
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo wished friends around the world celebrating the Lunar New Year to have a year of "great health, happiness, and prosperity".
Ban Ki-moon, chairman of the Boao Forum for Asia and former UN secretary-general, hailed China's achievements and efforts in its economy, eradicating poverty, and coping with climate change.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau extended his greetings to the Chinese communities in Canada and around the world.
Trudeau hailed the contributions made by Chinese Canadians to Canada and noted that "from coast to coast, Chinese Canadians build a stronger, more inclusive Canada every day."
"2019 is the Year of the Earth Pig, a symbol of good fortune, honesty, and success," he wished everyone "celebrating peace, health, love and good fortune this year and beyond."