Chinese leaders , UN Secretary General extend Lunar New Year greetings
Beijing: Chinese leaders extended Lunar New Year greetings to Chinese people at home and abroad on the occasion of traditional Spring Festival, which falls on January 31, 2014.
President Xi Jinping sent greetings to Chinese from all walks of life and expressed thanks to foreigners who have contributed to China’s modernization at a festival gathering at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Xinhua reports.
Premier Li Keqiang hailed the efforts of Chinese from all ethnic groups in conquering difficulties and making new achievements last year while delivering a speech at the celebration.
Targets for economic and social development were met in 2013, Li said, adding that effective measures were taken to realize stable consumer prices, create new jobs and improve people’s livelihoods.Li pledged more efforts to deal with issues of concern, including housing, medical treatment, social security, education, food safety and air pollution.
Other top leaders, including Zhang Dejiang, Yu Zhengsheng, Liu Yunshan, Wang Qishan and Zhang Gaoli, also attended the celebration according to Xinhua.
More than 77.6 million people had travelled by train as of Monday since the beginning of the Spring Festival travel period, surging 16.3 percent year on year, official data showed.
Meanwhile, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki- moon sent a message to the Chinese people, wishing them a happy lunar new year, or the Spring Festival.”I send my best wishes to all of you and your loved ones as we celebrate the year of the Horse,” he said. “And I wish you health, happiness and success in the coming year.”
The UN chief also expressed his gratitude towards the Chinese people. “The United Nations is honored to work closely with Chinese people across our shared agenda of peace, development and human rights. I thank you for your commitment and contribution,” he said.
The Spring Festival is the most important Chinese traditional holiday, highlighting family reunions and renewal of seasons.
