World leaders send Lunar New Year greetings to China’s president
On Monday, world leaders and heads of international organisations sent messages to Chinese President Xi Jinping to mark the Lunar New Year, as Beijing begins the Year of the Horse amid an evolving global political climate.
The greetings, issued by presidents, prime ministers and senior party officials across Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas, signal continued diplomatic engagement with China at a time of shifting economic alliances and geopolitical tensions.
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Diplomatic tone behind Lunar New Year greetings
Leaders from South Africa, Serbia, Laos and several Middle Eastern and African states also offered formal congratulations. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres thanked China for its role in supporting multilateralism and international cooperation.
The volume and geographical spread of the messages underline China’s central position in global diplomacy, particularly among emerging economies and states engaged in long-term infrastructure and trade partnerships with Beijing.
For the United Kingdom, the New Year greetings arrive as London continues to reassess its own economic and diplomatic engagement with China. The government has sought to balance national security considerations with trade ties, particularly in sectors such as higher education, green technology and financial services.
In the City of London, Chinese investment and listings remain part of wider discussions about the capital’s international competitiveness. The evolving tone of global diplomatic exchanges may therefore carry implications beyond symbolic celebration.
The exchange of Lunar New Year greetings reflects both long-standing tradition and the way international relationships continue to shift.
For more analysis on global diplomacy and its implications for the UK and London, follow EyeOnLondon.
[Image Credit | VCG/VCG via Getty Images and RTE]
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