The Chinese New Year—the Year of the Horse—has brought festive joy across China. Illuminated streets and traditional decorations reflect a nationwide celebration. Beyond China’s borders, an outpouring of greetings from the country’s “circle of friends” in the international community has created a warm and vibrant global atmosphere.
China continues to embrace the world with openness, and the world is responding with warmth. From meetings with visiting heads of state to greetings from bustling seaports and video messages, people from various parts of the world have conveyed New Year wishes to the Chinese people. They have also expressed hopes for world peace, development, mutually beneficial cooperation, and the advancement of friendly relations—reaffirming the commitment to work together across oceans for a better shared future.
APEC “China Year” Begins in Jakarta
From February 7 to 9, the first major business event of APEC’s “China Year”—the 2026 APEC Business Advisory Council’s first meeting—was held in Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia. At the event, Indonesia’s Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Airlangga Hartarto, extended his best wishes for the success of APEC’s “China Year.” Inviting participants to visit Shenzhen, he expressed confidence that all sides would work together for regional prosperity.
China–Canada Relations at a New Turning Point
On January 16, Chinese President Xi Jinping met with visiting Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. Xi noted that both sides should “strengthen the bonds of mutual interest through deep and broad cooperation.” Later that evening, Carney announced Canada’s new policy concerning Chinese electric vehicles while in Beijing. According to media reports, “Canada is once again seeking to strengthen its relationship with the Chinese market.”
The news of renewed cooperation was welcomed by Jason Campbell, manager of the Canada International Auto Show. He expressed hope that more Chinese electric vehicle companies would participate in the future. Holding documents from the auto show, he addressed his Chinese friends, saying: “Happy New Year!”
A Success Story From Peru’s Ports
In 2025, Peru’s exports reached an all-time high. A key contributor to this achievement was the Chancay Port—an important Belt and Road Initiative project jointly developed by China and Peru. Jason Guillen, manager of China Maritime Shipping (Peru) Chancay Company, told reporters that the new sea-land route from “Chancay to Shanghai” has boosted not only Peru’s trade but has also benefited other Latin American countries. He conveyed New Year greetings to Chinese and Peruvian friends.
SCO Education Cooperation
In Kyrgyzstan, Akylbek Chymyrov, head of the Luban Workshop, wrote his expectations for 2026 inside an envelope bearing the workshop’s logo: “May the partnership among SCO countries reach new heights!” He noted that the development of the Luban Workshop is a successful example of China–Kyrgyzstan educational cooperation and a vivid testament to the unity and mutual development of the SCO family.
Chinese Robots Bring New Year Greetings to the United Nations
On February 9, Chinese robots entered the United Nations Headquarters in New York for the first time. They opened a Chinese New Year celebration event titled “Galloping Horse,” drawing the attention of diplomats from various countries and interacting with them. In a video message for the event, UN Secretary-General António Guterres first delivered New Year greetings in Chinese, and then thanked the Chinese government and people for supporting multilateralism and global solidarity.
New Year Greetings From World Leaders
At the China–Russia summit on the first day of the Spring Festival, Russian President Vladimir Putin extended special New Year greetings to President Xi Jinping and the Chinese people. Recently, Nauru’s President David Adeang also sent a video message conveying New Year wishes, noting that this year’s symbolism reflects “the durability of Nauru–China friendship, progress, and the spirit of cooperation.” Thailand’s Acting Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul also conveyed New Year greetings in Chinese to the Chinese people.
U.S. Youth Visits and Bonds of Friendship
“Happy New Year to my Chinese friends—wishing you success!” wrote Jeffrey Greene, president of the Sino-American Aviation Heritage Foundation, on a hand-painted fan. In early February, Greene once again led American youth to China as part of the “Flying Tigers Friendship School Winter Camp.” Over the past year, under President Xi Jinping’s initiative for “5,000 youth exchanges in five years,” Greene has brought students from 11 U.S. states to more than 10 Chinese cities. The goal is to preserve the legacy of “Flying Tigers” friendship and deepen understanding of modern China.
Through young educators and artists, cultural exchanges continue to grow. Polish China scholar Jan Jakob Zivczak—who chose the Chinese name Yan Jing’an—is pursuing his PhD at Beijing Language and Culture University. On the eve of the New Year, he wrote a calligraphic vow: “Advancing in Sinology, advancing with China.” Uruguayan singer Ana Prada remains deeply engaged in strengthening friendship between the two peoples. During the Uruguayan president’s visit to China, President Yamandú Orsi even phoned her from Beijing to speak with a Chinese student who had just performed her song.
China’s Humanitarian Assistance in Disasters and Crises
Over the past year—from rapid post-earthquake rescue missions to humanitarian support in conflict-affected regions—China has upheld peace, security, and justice through its actions, delivering warmth and hope to people in distress. After a powerful earthquake struck Myanmar on March 29, 2025, President Xi Jinping sent a message of condolence to Myanmar’s leadership within 24 hours. On the same day, Chinese rescue teams arrived in the hardest-hit Mandalay region.
Chinese Aid in Gaza:
In northern Gaza, Ammar Ashour now lives with his three children in a tent marked “Chinese Aid.” With schools closed, Ashour teaches his children inside the tent itself.
China’s Role in Global Governance:
The current international landscape is complex, and gaps in global governance continue to widen. China is actively contributing ideas and solutions, building broad consensus, and mobilizing collective strength. President Xi Jinping’s global governance initiatives have gained swift support from more than 150 countries and international organizations—especially among Global South nations—and have been incorporated into several major bilateral and multilateral documents and statements.
When the world thrives, China thrives; when China thrives, the world becomes better. As New Year greetings travel across the seas, the march of cooperation continues uninterrupted. Every message of goodwill and every shared hope from China’s global “circle of friends” becomes part of a collective aspiration—to work together, persevere, and reach distant goals—illuminating the shared path of peaceful development and mutually beneficial cooperation.
Source: Swarna-Touhid-Lili, China Media Group.