BEIJING (PNA/Xinhua) – On the eve of the approaching Chinese Lunar New Year, the rest of the world is sharing the joy and excitement of the Asian country, a manifestation of the worldwide influence of China’s most important festival, also known as the Spring Festival.
Some national leaders, on the festive occasion, expressed wishes for a stronger bilateral relationship.
British Prime Minister Theresa May on Thursday sent her wishes to those celebrating the festival worldwide through the government’s website, pledging to further develop Britain-China relations, which have a stronger basis than ever before.
“We receive more Chinese investment than any other major European country. We’ve got around 150,000 Chinese students studying here and the number of Chinese tourists visiting has doubled in five years,” she said.
As 2017 marks the 20th anniversary of the return of Hong Kong to China and the 45th anniversary of the establishment of the ambassadorial relations between Britain and China, May said she hoped both countries will further their ties in various fields.
Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari also expressed optimism over the strategic partnership between Nigeria and China, noting the two countries had reached a consensus to give full play to corresponding development strategies, strong economic complementarity, and enormous cooperative potential.
The Chinese Lunar New Year celebration emphasized the concept of family and the opportunity of reunion – values shared by both Nigeria and China, Buhari wrote in a recent statement released by his office.
During a meeting with young Sinologists in Saint Petersburg University, the city’s Vice Governor Alexander Govorunov said that Russia-China education cooperation has showed a positive trend, with 250 agreements signed between various universities of the two countries.
St. Petersburg needs to expand its knowledge regarding the Chinese language, culture, economics, law and tourism to further relations with China, Govorunov said at the meeting, which was part of a series of month-long cultural events the city hosts in celebrating the Spring Festival.
During this time of the year, Chinese embassies as well as people of Chinese origin hold various receptions and parties in their respective countries to socialize with their counterparts and friends.
Earlier this month, the Chinese Embassy in Cuba held a New Year’s reception, welcoming dozens of people of Chinese descent and Cuban guests.
The Chinese Ambassador to Cuba, Chen Xi, assured that the next 12 months will be decisive for strengthening political and commercial ties between the two countries in search of bilateral prosperity, as well as the bonds of friendship that have existed for more than 50 years.
The attendees extended their wishes for good fortune to the Chinese people and the future of bilateral relations.