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Speech by H.E. Liu Yantao Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China To the Republic of Cyprus At the 2025 Spring Festival Reception and Intangible Cultural Heritage Spring Festival Gala

2025-01-22 15:01:38

On 20 January 2025, H.E. Liu Yantao, Ambassador of China to Cyprus, attended the 2025 Spring Festival Reception and Intangible Cultural Heritage Spring Festival Gala. The following is the full text of Ambassador Liu’s remarks:

Your Excellency Minister Giorgos Papanastasiou,

Your Excellency Deputy Minister Vasiliki Kassianidou,

Your Excellency General Secretary Stephanos Stephanou,

Vice-Rector Professor Ioannis Giapintzakis,

Dear Compatriots,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Kalispera! As the Chinese New Year of the Snake is coming in eight short days, it gives me great pleasure to join you here at the University of Cyprus for the Spring Festival celebration.

On behalf of the Chinese Embassy in Cyprus, let me begin by extending heartfelt thanks to the government of Cyprus and the University of Cyprus for your great support for this event! My special thanks goes to President Nikos Christodoulides, who has made a special video address, extending festive greetings to President Xi Jinping and the Chinese people.

Not long ago, the Spring Festival was officially inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. As the most important festival of the Chinese nation, the Spring Festival boasts a long history and profound cultural heritage. It is a vital carrier of China’s outstanding traditional culture. Here, I would like to share with you four auspicious sayings related to the Spring Festival.

The first saying is: “Among all festivals, the Spring Festival comes first; and among the four seasons, spring comes first.” Indeed, spring is the time to make plans for the whole year. Seize the day, seize the hour - this is the Chinese people’s springtime resolution.

With such an enterprising spirit, we successfully held the Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee last year. It charted the course for advancing Chinese modernization through further deepening reform comprehensively.

It needs to be pointed out that despite growing external pressure and domestic challenges, we secured new progress in economic development. In 2024, China’s GDP reached around 18.5 trillion US dollars, steadily No.2 in the world. Our growth rate of 5% is one of the highest among major economies. Without doubt, China continues to be a major engine for global growth.

The second saying is: “At the beginning of the New Year, everything takes on a new look”. In fact, the Spring Festival embodies the Chinese nation’s strong commitment to self-improvement. We believe that if one can make things better for one day, he should make them better every day, and constantly break new ground.

It was in such a spirit that in 2024, China actively pursued major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics, and provided much-needed stability to a turbulent world. In this context, the China-Cyprus strategic partnership achieved high-quality development as well, with frequent high-level exchanges, deeper political mutual trust, and robust cooperation in economy, trade, education, culture, and between sister cities.

Importantly, President Christodoulides stresses his full commitment to further strengthening and solidifying cooperation with China. In the same vein, the Chinese side views Cyprus as a significant partner. We are ready to enhance all-round cooperation with Cyprus, for the benefit of our two countries and peoples.

The third saying is: “With the passing of time comes longevity; and with the arrival of spring comes good fortune.” The Spring Festival reflects the Chinese people’s philosophy of embracing fortune and avoiding misfortune. It embodies our aspiration for a better life.

Over the past year, the Chinese community, businesses and students in Cyprus have worked hard and integrated themselves well into the local society. They have brought good fortune not only to themselves, but also to the Cypriot people.

The Chinese Embassy in Cyprus has always been the home of our compatriots. We worked around the clock to help evacuate the Chinese nationals from Lebanon. Thanks to the generous support of Cyprus, we successfully brought our nationals to safety. In the new year, we will continue to conduct diplomacy for the people. For our compatriots, we always stand by you when you are in need.   

The fourth saying is: “Celebrate the Spring Festival with joy; and the best of life is reunion.” What is cherished deep in the heart of the Chinese people is reunion. On Spring Festival eve, no matter where you are, you must go home and have dinner with your family.

The upcoming year is the Year of the Snake. In the Chinese culture, snake symbolizes wisdom and agility. Likewise, all of the 12 zodiac animals carry their symbolic meanings. Together, they form a cycle, demonstrating the Chinese culture of peace and harmony. Such a philosophy of reunion and harmony underpins the unity of the Chinese nation and the harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature. It also guides China to pursue win-win cooperation with other countries, and jointly build a community with a shared future for mankind.

Dear friends,

Dear compatriots,

With the conclusion of a fulfilling year, we have high expectations for the new year. As the Year of the Snake approaches, I wish all of you happy new year and happiness for the whole family. May our two countries prosper and flourish! May our peoples be full of joy and well-being! Thank you!


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