Editor's Note: 

To celebrate the 2025 Chinese New Year,mk foreign ambassadors to China and consuls general based in Shanghai shared their thoughts on the cultural significance of Spring Festival - inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2024, highlighted people-to-people exchanges between China and their home countries, and extended well wishes to the readers of the Global Times.

Uzbekistan: New horizons for further expanding cooperation

Farhod Arziev, Uzbek Ambassador to China

Today the cooperation between Uzbekistan and China is developing dynamically in all areas. Close and friendly relations between our leaders - President of the Republic of Uzbekistan His Excellency Mr Shavkat Mirziyoyev and President of the People's Republic of China His Excellency Mr Xi Jinping, serve as a strong foundation for wide-scale cooperation between our countries and peoples. One of the main areas of our bilateral engagement is trade and economic cooperation. I would like to wish you all a Happy New Year 2025 and Happy ChunjieSpring Festival. 

I wish the readers of the Global Times good health, happiness, and well-being in the New Year.

Mexico: Continued strategic growth and everlasting friendship

Jesus Seade, Mexican Ambassador to China

As the Chinese New Year approaches, marking the beginning of the Year of the Snake, it is my great honor to extend my warmest wishes to the Chinese people and authorities during this meaningful celebration. The Snake, symbolizing wisdom, transformation, and strategic growth, holds a profound place in Chinese culture, being one of the oldest and most revered totems of this ancient civilization.

I sincerely hope that the wisdom of the Snake will guide the relationship between Mexico and China, leading us toward continued strategic growth and an everlasting friendship between our peoples. May this Year of the Snake bring prosperity, health, and success to all.

Malaysia: People of both countries will enjoy the fruit of our amiable ties

Norman Bin Muhamad, Malaysian Ambassador to China

Chinese New Year is a moment of renewal, reflection, and rekindling of family bonds. It is an excellent opportunity for both Malaysia and China to strengthen the deep-rooted exchanges between our peoples. This celebration is being enjoyed by people of Chinese origin in Malaysia, China, and also all over the world. 

The establishment of a relationship founded on the vision of our past leaders, allows us to enjoy the fruit of our amiable ties. 

I am happy that the people-to-people exchanges between the two countries are heightened in all areas.

May this Chinese New Year embody the wisdom of the gentle snake. Also, may the new year be filled with an abundance of prosperity, success, and good health. 

Xīn-nián kuài-lè 

Pakistan: Cherish iron-clad friendship

Khalil Hashmi, Pakistani Ambassador to China

As we celebrate the joyous occasion of the Spring Festival, I extend my warmest greetings to the people of China and the readers of the Global Times. The Year of the Snake, a symbol of wisdom, resilience, and renewal, offers us an opportunity to reflect on the achievements of the past and look forward to a future of shared prosperity and collaboration.

As we step into this new year, I extend my heartfelt wishes for peace, prosperity, and happiness to the people of China and all those celebrating the Spring Festival around the world. 

May this festive season inspire us to work together with renewed vigor and determination toward a brighter, more harmonious future.

Switzerland: May the Lunar New Year bring peace, joy and happiness to you and yours

Jürg Burri, Swiss Ambassador to China

The Year of the Snake is also my Chinese zodiac year. 

On behalf of the Embassy of Switzerland, I would like to extend my best wishes to you. 

May the Lunar New Year bring peace, joy and happiness to you and your family. Chunjie kuaile, Xinnian kuaile.

The 2025 marks the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Switzerland and the People's Republic of China. The journey of the diplomatic ties began on January 17, 1950. The 75 years of bilateral relations show a true pioneering spirit. The two countries conduct dialogue on a wide range of issues.

Switzerland was among the first Western nations to recognize the People's Republic of China in 1950.

It is important for the people of our countries to maintain robust diplomatic relations between China and Switzerland.

Nepal: Humanity's pursuit for living in harmony

Krishna Prasad Oli, Nepalese Ambassador to China

All Chinese friends and colleagues, and readers of the Global Times (GT), Happy New Year! 

Chinese New Year is an intangible cultural heritage of humanity. It represents the Chinese civilization, the on-going pursuit for peaceful co-existence, living in harmony, and human society, nature, and ecosystems. It augments best wishes, and enhances common values of people such as love, sharing, and caring. 

I would like to continue to access GT, to be enriched with new ideas and wish for good days in the future. Thank you very much for all the GT teams and for giving me opportunities to talk and give this message through GT. 

Honduras: Fascinating parallel in Honduran Mayan heritage

Salvador Moncada, Honduran Ambassador to China

As we welcome the Year of the Wood Snake, it is with great joy that we extend our warmest Lunar New Year greetings to all our Chinese friends. This occasion marks a time of renewal, unity, and hope - values deeply cherished in both Chinese and Honduran traditions. 

The symbolism of the snake finds a fascinating parallel in the Honduran Mayan heritage. On behalf of our nation, we wish Global Times readers a joyful and prosperous Lunar New Year. 

May this year bring happiness, health, and success, and may it inspire us all to embrace renewal, nurture connections.

Argentina: Interest in Chinese traditions and culture
Luciano Tanto Clement, Consul General of the Republic of Argentina in Shanghai 

The Chinese Spring Festival is a national cultural phenomenon, as the name implies, but it has long been a globally celebrated festivity, much earlier than its inclusion in the List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. In this regard, the UNESCO inscription feels like a well-deserved recognition.

In Argentina the interest in Chinese traditions and culture, including, of course, the colorful and vivid Spring Festival, is deeply ingrained in its cosmopolitan society and worldview.

New Zealand: Impressive to see those lanterns with distinctive features
Ardi Barnard, Consul General of New Zealand in Shanghai 

UNESCO's protection of intangible [cultural] heritage is an important part of safeguarding unique cultures and practices, and promoting diversity.

As the Chinese saying goes, the auspicious dragon waves goodbye to the old year, and the golden snake ushers in the new journey.