World leaders issue messages on New Year 2018

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World leaders shared their good wishes and opinions to mark the beginning of 2018.

Chinese President Xi Jinping vowed China would resolutely carry out reform in 2018."Building a high-rise begins with mounds of soil," Xi said, borrowing an ancient Chinese phrase to urge his fellow Chinese to take a step-by-step approach and work hard to turn the blueprint into a reality. Xi said that by 2020 all rural residents living below the current poverty line should have been lifted out of poverty.

Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) meets with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, June 23, 2016. /Xinhua Photo

In his greetings to Chinese President Xi Jinping on the New Year and upcoming Spring Festival, Russian President Vladimir Putin noted that 2017 had brought more success in Russian-Chinese relations, with substantial growth in mutual trade and dynamic exchanges in science and technology, and culture and the humanitarian sphere. He emphasized the fact that Moscow and Beijing cooperate extensively in global affairs and contribute greatly to the solutions of current international problems.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau urged Canadians to work towards putting the country's unifying values – openness, compassion, equality, and inclusion – into practice heading into the new year. He added his government made considerable progress in 2017 on issues such as creating new opportunities for young people and advancing reconciliation with Indigenous peoples. He felt there is still a lot of work to do in 2018.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (R, front) and his wife Sophie Gregoire (L, front) greet people at Rideau Hall in Ottawa, Canada. /Xinhua Photo

Malaysia’s Prime Minister Najib Razak assured that Malaysians could look forward to a brighter economic future in 2018. He highlighted the National Transformation initiative's goal to make Malaysia join the ranks of developed nations by 2050. “Our economy beat all expectations, with the World Bank revising its estimate for our growth this year upwards not once, not twice, but three times – to a very healthy 5.8 percent,” he said.

Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, urged the youth of the nation to work towards making a "New India." He announced to organize a mock parliament in every district of India. Modi also announced to change in the Haj (Muslim Pilgrimage) rules, he said, “It had come to our notice that if a Muslim woman wants to go on Haj, she must have a ‘Mehram’ or a male guardian; otherwise she cannot travel, it was discriminatory, we have changed this rule and this year around 1,300 women applied to go without a male guardian.”

Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena said that the government would work toward gaining a stronger economic prosperity and reconciliation and further improve Sri Lanka's image in the coming year 2018. "The great commitment and determined courage shown by us to face those challenges and achieve our goals will take us to the level of excellence," he added.

Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at Hangzhou International Expo Center to attend the G20 summit in Hangzhou, capital of east China's Zhejiang Province, Sept. 4, 2016. /Xinhua Photo

Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong highlighted that country’s economy grew by 3.5 percent in 2017, which is more than double the initial forecast. "Singaporeans are upgrading and learning new skills, while businesses are innovating and adopting new technology. That is how we will stay competitive and ready for the future."

Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said that the outgoing 2017 was a glorious year in the history of Bangladesh. "Let the new year bring in all our lives untainted happiness, peace, and prosperity," she said.

Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina (R) during a media interview in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Oct. 11, 2016. /Xinhua

Fiji's Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama pledged to continue to boost the South Pacific Island state's economy in 2018 and bring more opportunity for Fijians."We had to keep growing the Fijian economy, bringing greater opportunity into the lives of our people and caring for those Fijians who are most vulnerable in our society," he said.

Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta during his New Year message mentioned for the first time about the formation of a new Cabinet. "In the next few weeks, I will unveil the men and women to whom I will entrust delivery of the 'Big Four,'" and other programs that will transform this country.

South African President Jacob Zuma stressed his government's commitment to radical socio-economic transformation in 2018. He urged South Africans to work together to build a truly united, non-racial, non-sexist, democratic and prosperous South Africa.

South African President Jacob Zuma speaks during the Chris Hani Wreath Laying Ceremony and handover of the Chris Hani heritage site in Gauteng Province, on April 10, 2017. /Xinhua Photo

President of Zimbabwe Emmerson Mnangagwa promised a peaceful and stable political and socio-economic climate for a prosperous Zimbabwe. “2018 should be the year of all Zimbabweans. 2018 should be the year of progress. 2018 should also be the year of credible, free and fair election,” he said.

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni underlined the need for a joint regional effort to defeat the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) operating in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). "If the Congolese government so decides, we can assist them to uproot the ADF from that area," said Museveni.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani smiles during an official welcoming ceremony at the airport of Manas some 30 km outside Bishkek on December 22, 2016. /AFP/Xinhua Photo

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has vowed a “more active and bold” foreign policy in 2018. “Turkey will not be able to secure its future without resolving problems in its region. This leads us to pursue a more active, bold and if necessary more risky foreign policy.” He added, “The Jerusalem issue has turned out to be a test for us and our region, as well as for all Muslims and oppressed nations.”

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani urged world leaders to “create a year replete with spirituality, dignity, welfare, and elimination of discrimination and violence for everybody around the world through collaboration and dialogue among religious experts and scholars and followers of religions.”